THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
The public is invited to join the National Park Service to honor and remember the 40 heroes of Flight 93 on the 25th observance of September 11, 2001. A full day of programs, including a morning observance and an afternoon ceremony, will be held at the Memorial Plaza near the Wall of Names.
Official NPS sourceApplications are open for the 2027 Chesapeake Gateways Grants supporting enhanced outdoor recreation and heritage tourism in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The application period runs from Aug. 27 through Nov. 4, 2026. Visit the National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways website to learn more about the grants and how to apply.
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Starting Friday, September 4 and continuing throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend, the National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will implement a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driver checkpoint and high-visibility enforcement campaign.
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Experience history firsthand at Eisenhower National Historic Site during the 2026 World War II Weekend, taking place September 18-20. This year’s programs and activities will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring how the ideals of America’s founding inspired Americans and Allies during World War II. The weekend will feature a living history encampment, guest speakers, ranger-guided walking tours, family activities for visitors of all ages and more.
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Steamtown National Historic Site will celebrate the past, present and future of American railroading during Railfest 2026, taking place Sept. 4 to 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
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The National Park Service is excited to welcome visitors to celebrate National Park Week from Saturday, August 22 through Sunday, August 30, as dozens of sites across the region mark the 2026 theme, “Celebrate America’s Story,” highlighting the 250th anniversary of American independence and recognizing our shared American heritage of national parks.
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The National Park Service (NPS) has approved the transfer of historic Norwood & St. Lawrence Railroad Locomotive No. 210 from Steamtown National Historic Site to the St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum in New York, marking the successful completion of a complex, multi-year effort to ensure the locomotive's long-term preservation and interpretation in the region where it spent nearly its entire operating career.
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Stephanie Stephens has been selected as superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park, Eisenhower National Historic Site, and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. Stephens currently serves as the acting regional director for the Midwest Region of the National Park Service and will assume her new role this fall.
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The National Park Service invites the public to participate in the Dragonfly Mercury Project, a nationwide citizen science initiative focused on monitoring mercury in aquatic ecosystems. Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is seeking 5–6 volunteers to assist with dragonfly larvae collection for mercury analysis on Aug. 4 and 5, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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WILMINGTON, Del. — The National Park Service is proposing to allow bicycle use on approximately 25 miles of designated trails within the Brandywine Valley unit of First State National Historical Park and is seeking public comment on the proposed rule from July 30 through Sept. 28.
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Join Johnstown Flood National Memorial for an Evening on the Lake program highlighting Clara Barton. The free presentation will take place on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the visitor center auditorium. Please note the location was updated from the previous announcement saying it was at the club house.
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Join Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site for an Evening on the Summit program about the Gallitzin Tunnels. The presentation takes place on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the visitor center auditorium and is free of charge.
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Starting the night of July 3, 2026, the Milford Star will shine again from its perch on top of Milford Knob in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
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Battle of Fort Necessity Anniversary Encampment with Fort Walks and Soldier's Life Programs with 18th century small arms and artillery demonstrations.
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Join us for an Evening on the Lake program We've Come a Long Way: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial Through the Years on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 7 p.m.
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Friday, June 19, 2026, and Saturday, June 20, 2026, Fort Necessity National Battlefield will observe the Juneteenth anniversary by having programs on Civil War soldiers and 19th century muskets.
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Johnstown Flood National Memorial will commemorate the anniversary of the May 31, 1889, tragedy with special events, including 2,209 luminaries to honor flood victims. On that fateful day 137 years ago, the South Fork Dam broke sending 20 million tons of water down the Conemaugh Valley to Johnstown.
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The first Evening on the Lake program of the season, Alleviating Human Suffering in the Face of Emergencies: The American Red Cross’ Response to the Johnstown Flood and the September 11 Attacks is Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 7 p.m.
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Valley Forge National Historical Park, the only national park established on July 4, celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer with a three-day commemorative event. “Retreat to Valley Forge” will take place July 3–5, 2026. The celebration honors both the 50th anniversary of the park’s addition to the National Park System and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
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A 160-acre grassland restoration project will begin May 9, 2026, in areas surrounding the Pennsylvania Monument and the Eternal Light Peace Memorial of the Gettysburg National Military Park.
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The National Park Service is creating the first Comprehensive Plan for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a major step toward strengthening connections across this regionally significant trail network.
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Independence National Historical Park and Independence Historical Trust will hold a public ribbon cutting on July 1 to celebrate the multi-year, $43 million renovation of the historic First Bank of the United States.
Official NPS sourceSaturday, April 25th, join us at Friendship Hill to learn about Spring Wildflowers of Eastern Woodlands: Photos, Facts and Folklore with author Jack Gates and then participate in a two mile walk around the grounds to look for wildflowers on the property.
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Beginning May 4, 2026, the Isaac Potts House in Valley Forge National Historical Park will temporarily close for a restoration project. Through Sunday, May 3, visitors can tour the historic structure used by General George Washington as his headquarters during the legendary 1777-1778 winter encampment. The house and its surrounding area will close to visitors until restoration is complete in 2027, in time to mark the 250th anniversary of Washington’s 1777 arrival at Valley Forge.
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Gettysburg National Military Park staff and U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) staff are preparing to conduct a prescribed fire on March 8, weather permitting. Park and USWFS staff plan to burn portions of the west slope of Little Round Top (52 acres) and the Munshower field (36 acres) immediately north of Little Round Top. Prescribed fire activity will be completed as soon as all safety protocols are met.
Official NPS sourceThe Old Mine Road, a scenic and historic 375-year-old route on the New Jersey side of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, will undergo significant repairs starting on April 6.
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The National Park Service (NPS) invites you to attend a public meeting to learn more about the release of the White-Tailed Deer Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Flight 93 National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) invites you to attend a public meeting to learn more about the release of the White-Tailed Deer Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Flight 93 National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) invites you to attend a public meeting to learn more about the release of the White-Tailed Deer Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Flight 93 National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site.
Official NPS sourceOn March 6, 2026, National Park Service law enforcement rangers, with assistance from the Carlisle (PA) Police Department, arrested Lucas J. Reisinger, 36, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on two felony counts of destruction of veterans’ memorials in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1369. Reisinger is accused of carving his initials into two monuments at Little Round Top in Gettysburg National Military Park in September 2025.
Official NPS sourceDuring recent white-tailed deer reduction operations and subsequent disease sampling at Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) and Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS), two deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This marks the first confirmed case of CWD at Gettysburg NMP.
Official NPS sourceDelaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will implement typical winter service levels. During annual low staff seasons, the park takes this action to ensure visitor safety. Information on sites that will remain open, receive no winter maintenance, or close until spring outlined.
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The Washington-Rochambeau Trail introduces the All-American Road Trip; an America 250 initiative encouraging travelers to experience New Jersey’s Revolutionary War sites and follow the historic 1781 Franco-American march to Yorktown. The campaign launches alongside new national interest from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution.
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The National Park Service’s Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route NHT launches the All-American Road Trip, a major America 250 initiative inviting visitors to explore the historic 1781 march of American and French forces to Yorktown. Coinciding with renewed interest from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, the campaign highlights living history events, educational programs, partnerships, and travel opportunities across the 680-mile trail, beginning in Newport and connecting communities from Rhode Island to Virginia.
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Celebrate the 2025 holiday season at Steamtown National Historic Site with festive train rides, family activities, and community events. Winter hours are Wednesday–Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. All holiday trains will run behind a historic diesel while No. 26 is offline for repairs.
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Independence Hall will be closed to visitors from November 13, 2025, to January 28, 2026, to enable preservation teams to complete comprehensive interior work to prepare the site for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
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A new National Park Service report shows that 1.9 million visitors to Valley Forge National Historical Park in 2024 spent $28.9 million in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $44.8 million.
Official NPS sourceA new National Park Service report shows that 4.1 million visitors to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in 2024 spent $164 million in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $211 million.
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Staff at Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) report that one of the capstones of the South Confederate Avenue Bridge over Plum Run, best known as “Dinosaur Bridge,” that contains a dinosaur fossil, was vandalized on Thursday, September 25.
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A new National Park Service report shows that 377,061 visitors to Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River in 2024 spent $19,931,000 in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $24,211,000.
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LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The National Park Service invites the public to a community meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, to share ideas and help shape the future of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Southern Maryland.
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This fall, Gettysburg National Military Park invites visitors to “Fall into History,” over two extraordinary weekends of ranger-led programs, dramatic storytelling, and immersive battlefield walks, set against the vibrant backdrop of autumn in Pennsylvania.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service will begin construction on a new stairway connecting the Goodloe Byron Memorial Footbridge (Byron Bridge) to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park towpath at mile 60.6.
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Our final Evening on the Summit program for the season is on Tuesday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m. Barbara Zaborowski, Dean of Library Services and Special Projects at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, will speak on the use of the Main Line Canal in supporting Underground Railroad activities. The event will be held in the Visitor Center auditorium. It is free and open to the public.
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Join Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, the Pike-Wayne Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Project Healing Waters, for a free fishing clinic on September 20, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m at the Zane Grey Museum and Lackawaxen River Access.
Official NPS sourceNational Park Service rangers and emergency responders recovered a body of a NJ man near Kittatinny Point on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Official NPS sourceGettysburg National Military Park (NMP) and Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS) will conduct lethal removal of white-tailed deer as part of the White-tailed Deer Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement between September 2025 through March 2026.
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Come on the last guided bird hike of the season with Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and the Sullivan County Audubon Society at Minisink Battleground Park on September 14th at 8AM.
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Flight 93 National Memorial will honor the 40 passengers and crew members on the 24th observance on Thursday, September 11, 2025, with the 30-minute Moment of Remembrance. The 9:45 a.m. ceremony includes the reading of names and a moment of silence. A wreath-laying and gate-closing ceremony will take place near the Wall of Names on the Memorial Plaza.
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Join Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS) staff for our annual World War II Weekend from September 19 to 21. The focus of this year’s event will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II by focusing on the people, events, and legacies of 1945. Park rangers, guest speakers, living historians, and partner organizations will bring the events of 1945 to life through three days of interactive programming, tours, and activities for visitors of all ages.
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This Evening on the Lake program is Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Club House. The program will explore the history of Grandview Cemetery, efforts to identify the victims of the flood, and some of the notable people buried there. The cemetery includes the Unknown Plot, dedicated to the unidentified victims of the Great Flood. This program is presented by Park Ranger Elizabeth Shope.
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The 2025 Summit Level hike is Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. This hike, led by a park ranger, is 3-miles in length along the Summit Level of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The hike goes from the head of Inclined Plane No. 6 to the location of where the Summit Hotel was in Summitville, near the head of Inclined Plane 5. Reservations are required for this free hike. Please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150 to sign up.
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Steamtown National Historic Site hosts “Arts in the Park Weekend” on August 23–24, 2025, featuring presentations on art, railroad, and preservation history. Programs begin in the newly reopened Visitor Center, with Q&A sessions following each talk. The weekend leads into the National Park Service’s 109th birthday.
Official NPS sourceA raccoon tested positive for rabies last week after being reported for strange behavior near the Smithfield Beach commercial launch. The park urges visitors who have had physical contact with wildlife to notify park staff and seek medical attention immediately.
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On Saturday August 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River cordially invites the public to a nineteenth century baseball exhibition featuring the Flemington Club of Neshannock and the Elizabeth Resolutes. The free game will be at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Lackawaxen, PA.
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Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River volunteer Avery Ohliger has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the National Park Service’s Region 1 Excellence in Volunteer Service Impact Award in the Youth & Young Adult Category for his work digitalizing, transcribing, and indexing Upper Delaware oral history files.
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Our summer speaker series, Evening on the Summit, concludes on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitor Center theater. Park Volunteer Brandon Sliko will present a free program about mapping the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
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Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River congratulates Flor Blum, Alvin Leung, Michael Portnov, Achim Kopp, and Alex Wrona for receiving the Upper Delaware Water Safety Challenge Coin Award. These five individuals volunteered their time and language skills to translate important water safety messaging as a resource for non-English speaking river users.
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Steamtown National Historic Site’s Visitor Center is now open for the season, offering a climate-controlled space, restrooms, park information, and staffed services. The outdoor Tickets & Information kiosk operates only on train ride days.
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This Evening on the Lake program is Tuesday, July 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Club House. Documents discovered from the collection of John Kephart, at the Cambria County Historical Society, led society members and park staff to determine the original owners of all sixteen cottages. These cottages were owned by members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club and sat along Lake Conemaugh. Participants will learn about the cottages and their respective owners. This program is presented by Park Ranger Doug Bosley.
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The National Park Service has released a Request for Proposals to lease the Kennedy Supplee mansion, carriage house and associated grounds for use as a restaurant, office, or other light commercial use for a period of ten (10) years.
Official NPS sourceOn Wednesday afternoon, National Park Service rangers from Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and rescue teams from Bushkill Fire, Warren County EMS and New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau responded to a call involving a capsized kayaker, where they recovered the body of a 54-year-old Blakeslee, PA man.
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Hike with a park ranger to the Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in America on Saturday, July 12 at 2 p.m. Reservations are required for this free hike that is approximately five miles in length. Please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150 to sign up and for meeting location details. The hike is rain or shine.
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Our summer speaker series, Evening on the Summit, continues on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitor Center theater. Supervisory Park Ranger Doug Bosley will present a free program on Charles Dickens' 1842 trip to America.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and the Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite you to join in commemorating the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. The annual formal commemoration ceremony will take place at 2:00 pm from the steps of Ironmaster’s Mansion on site. Other programming will be offered throughout the day and is open and free to the public.
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Railfest 2025 celebrates the 100th anniversary of steam locomotive Grand Trunk Western No. 6039 and the 30th anniversary of Steamtown’s public opening. Highlights include train rides, exhibits, activities, and family-friendly programming.
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Join park staff and volunteers as we honor and remember the men who fought during the battle at Fort Necessity on July 3, 1754. Guided fort walks will be offered at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM. Soldier's life with musket and artillery demonstrations will be at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Events will happen rain or shine (except in thunderstorms) both Thursday, July 3rd and Friday, July 5th.
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Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River and the Zane Grey's West Society will host the 19th Annual Zane Grey Festiva on the grounds of Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Saturday, July 12, 2025. This free festival offers fun for the entire family with activities, live birds show, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, and more.
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Travel the route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad with a park ranger on a four-hour van tour. This free tour is Saturday, June 21 at 1:00 p.m. and leaves from the Visitor Center. To make a required reservation, please call 814-886-6150.
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The first Evening on the Lake program of the season is Tuesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. Dr. Barbara Zaborowski, Dean of Library Services and Special Projects at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, will present a program on the Cambria Memory Project. The program takes place in the Club House located at 186 Main Street in St. Michael.
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On Saturday, July 5, at 12:30 p.m., Steamtown National Historic Site will host an official unveiling of the cosmetically restored Bullard No. 2 locomotive.
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Learn about birding and fishing on the Upper Delaware River with events on World Migratory Bird Day and Free Fishing Day. Both events are free to the public and offer activities such as birding and fishing tips, casting practice, crafts, and junior ranger activities.
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Gettysburg National Military Park will commemorate the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg from Tuesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 3, 2025, with a series of special ranger-led programs, immersive battlefield walks, family activities, and evening presentations by renowned historians. All programs are free and open to the public.
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National trails enthusiast and lifelong explorer Frank Kos has accomplished a remarkable feat: visiting 30 out of 32 of our nation's national scenic and historic trails, each documented with a photo beside the trail’s official signage. What makes his journey extraordinary is his long-standing commitment not only to exploring segments of each trail, but also to creating a personal archive of memories through photographs and stories shared in a hand-crafted scrapbook chronicling decades of travel across America.
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Please join us for an Evening on the Summit Program about Dr. James Christy. This free program takes place in the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site Visitor Center theater on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. The program is presented by park volunteer Jim Effinger.
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The 136th anniversary of the Johnstown Flood is Saturday, May 31, 2025. The park will commemorate the victims of the flood that occurred on May 31, 1889, when the South Fork Dam broke sending 20 million tons of water down the Conemaugh Valley to Johnstown.
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Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River is seeking outdoor enthusiasts to volunteer to be Wear It Watchers this summer. Volunteers observe, record, and collect data on life jacket usage. This valuable data is used by the park to improve water safety on the river.
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Employees at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area are working hard to prepare facilities ready for a busy summer season. The 70,000-acre national park unit in PA and NJ and was the 20th most-visited national park unit in the country in 2024 with over 4 million visits recorded.
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The River Runner Shuttle, which stops at river accesses within the park, will be available for visitor use on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
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August 1824 to September 1825, Lafayette will return to the United States for a Farewell Tour. He will visit all 24 states at numerous sites. Including a visit and speech in Uniontown, PA with his friend Albert Gallatin. Gallatin will invite Lafayette to Friendship Hill for a peaceful evening that ends up not being so quiet.
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On June 6, 1944, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Allied Expeditionary Force embarked upon “the great crusade” as thousands of Allied troops landed in Normandy, France, to begin the liberation of Europe. To commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Normandy invasion, staff from Eisenhower National Historic Site will lead a special walking tour of D-Day burial sites in Gettysburg National Cemetery on Friday, June 6, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
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Park set to mark observance of the 271st anniversary of the first shots on the road to the American Revolution. Events will take place at Jumonville Glen on the actual anniversary, May 28th at 7 AM. Programs at Fort Necessity on May 24th and 25th.
Official NPS sourceDue to rising water levels in the Delaware River, the National Park Service (NPS) at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area announced today that the river and all access points within the park will be closed until levels recede below 15’ at the Montague, NJ gauge.
Official NPS source
Hopewell Furnace invites you to attend its annual sheep shearing and spring charcoal burn kickoff on Saturday, May 10 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. All programs are open to the public and free of charge. Visitors can learn about how and why we shear sheep and discover what people in the 19th century could do with the wool. Shearing will occur every 20 minutes, starting at 11:30 am with the last around 3:30 pm. Additionally, park staff and volunteers will discuss and demonstrate fiber arts, blacksmithing, and bake oven techniques from the time period. Park rangers will offer a Storytime with the Ranger at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
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Steamtown National Historic Site will transition to its summer schedule and increase in-park operations and experiences starting on Saturday, May 3. The park and its buildings will remain free to enter, daily summer hours will expand to 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Technology Museum will reopen, and the park will fire up its popular “Scranton Limited” yard shuttles—short train rides that offer visitors a front-row seat to the sights, sounds and motion of a working rail yard, all set within the park’s historic landscape.
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Seventh graders from Washington, D.C. explored nature, history, and fishing at Fletchers Cove during an Earth Day event hosted by the National Park Service and Friends of Fletchers Cove. Hands-on activities fostered environmental awareness, sparked curiosity, and highlighted the value of accessible outdoor experiences in urban communities.
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Hike with a park ranger along the Summit Level for Celebrate Trails Day on Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. The hike is 3-miles in length along the Summit Level of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The hike goes from the head of Inclined Plane No. 6 to the location of where the Summit Hotel was in Summitville, near the head of Inclined Plane 5. Reservations are required for this free hike. Please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150 to sign up.
Official NPS source
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River invites members of the public to submit nominations for the park’s Water Safety Challenge Coin Award Program. The program recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who go above and beyond to keep others safe on the river.
Official NPS sourceWinter closures around the park will be lifted and the sites reopened. Fee sites start charging fees on Tuesday, April 15.
Official NPS source
Steamtown NHS invites the public, including families, park enthusiasts, and future Junior Rangers to celebrate Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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On May 8-10, Eisenhower National Historic Site will offer special ranger-guided tours of WWII burial sites in Gettysburg National Cemetery to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the end of WWII in Europe. Each program will begin at 5:30 pm at the Taneytown Rd. entrance to the cemetery.
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A tractor trailer overturned on Route 209 through the park today, closing a section of road. Tractor trailers are prohibited on park roads.
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Now in its second year, park staff, in the spirit and tradition of the original Eisenhower Presidential Easter Egg Roll, encourage young visitors and families to engage in a series of fun-filled activities, including decorating their own wooding egg, then culminating in an Easter Egg Roll on the lawn of the Eisenhower home in Gettysburg, PA.
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Students in grades 6-12 have a chance to shine—and to win a cash award—in this year’s Independence Day Writing Contest.
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The National Park Service (NPS) has begun preparing a white-tailed deer management plan for Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Friendship Hill National Historic Site and Flight 93 National Memorial, all in western Pennsylvania. The dramatic increase in white-tailed deer densities over the past century have led to substantial ecological changes and degradation in both the natural and cultural landscapes of western Pennsylvania parks.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) has begun preparing a white-tailed deer management plan for Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Friendship Hill National Historic Site and Flight 93 National Memorial, all in western Pennsylvania. The dramatic increase in white-tailed deer densities over the past century have led to substantial ecological changes and degradation in both the natural and cultural landscapes of western Pennsylvania parks.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) has begun preparing a white-tailed deer management plan for Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Friendship Hill National Historic Site and Flight 93 National Memorial, all in western Pennsylvania. The dramatic increase in white-tailed deer densities over the past century have led to substantial ecological changes and degradation in both the natural and cultural landscapes of western Pennsylvania parks.
Official NPS source
Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS) staff are excited to unveil a new exhibit in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. This temporary exhibit now includes a reproduction gown, similar to that worn by Mamie Eisenhower at the 1953 inaugural ball of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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Jeremy M. Komasz has been selected as the new superintendent of Steamtown National Historic Site. Komasz will begin his role on January 19, 2025.
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Phase one of a multi-year project to revitalize the 40 Memorial Groves and Allée, or walkway, was completed last month. In April, nearly 700 dead or declining trees were removed from the Memorial Groves in preparation for future enhancements. Throughout October, soil remediation and mulching occurred in five groves and nearby sections of the Allée. Trees were also removed from the Allée near the Visitor Center, to allow for soil remediation.
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Special opportunities and programming will be available for visitors with visual and auditory sensitivities to enjoy with their family and friends. Visitors can experience activities in a relaxed environment for a calmer and quieter visit.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is proposing several changes to the park’s fee system and is seeking public input on the proposal during a 30-day public comment period beginning December 16, 2024. The proposal includes an increase in fee amounts, a two-week extension of the fee season, changes to the annual pass purchases, and the addition of two new fee sites. The last fee increase was implemented in 2015. If approved the fee changes would go into effect in April 2025.
Official NPS source
Gettysburg National Military Park will start the new year with events for families and young learners. Our History Kids Reading Adventure Club (ages 4 to 10) and our Time Travelers Reading Adventures Club (ages 7 to 12) offers families with younger children an opportunity to travel back in time to learn about different figures and topics of our shared past.
Official NPS sourceThe National Parks of Philadelphia has started a project to improve the drainage on Independence Square and better prepare the area for the 250th anniversary in 2026 of the country's founding.
Official NPS sourcePresident Joe Biden today signed a presidential proclamation establishing the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as the 432nd site in national park system. The presidential proclamation for the new national monument, designated under the Antiquities Act, acknowledges the painful past of forced assimilation of Native children through the implementation of federal Indian boarding school policies. The announcement comes as the Administration hosts the annual White House Tribal Nations Summit today, which provides an opportunity for federal and Tribal leaders from the 574 federally recognized Tribes to discuss ways the federal government can invest in and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships as well as ensure that progress in Indian Country endures for years to come.
Official NPS source
The Brandywine Valley Trail Plan at First State National Historical Park can move forward. The plan defines a designated shared-use 27.8-mile trail network that will provide high-quality recreational opportunities, promote visitor safety and enjoyment and preserve connectivity with leased property within the Brandywine Valley section of the park and neighboring properties.
Official NPS source
Valley Forge National Historical Park will commemorate the arrival of the Continental Army to Valley Forge in 1777 with March In to Valley Forge, an evening of special family-friendly programs from 6 PM to 8 PM on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Official NPS source
Beginning January 4, 2025, the popular Winter Lecture series will begin at Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP). Featuring some of the best National Park Service rangers and historians from across the region, the 8-week Winter Lecture Series of hour-long talks will examine a wide array of subjects related to the American Civil War and Gettysburg history.
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Eighty years ago this December, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Allied forces faced one of their greatest challenges of World War II when the Battle of the Bulge erupted in the Ardennes Forest. More than 30 Americans who died in the Battle of the Bulge are buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery. On Saturday, December 14, join a park ranger in Gettysburg National Cemetery at 3 pm for a special ranger-guided walking tour to commemorate the 80th anniversary of this battle.
Official NPS source
Visitor services and maintenance operations are reduced during the winter months when staffing levels and visitation are at their lowest. Some roads and visitor use sites are closed and others will receive reduced maintenance.
Official NPS source
Winter is knocking on our door! While we are headed into the "off season" there are still plenty of opportunities to get into the spirit of the season at Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS)!
Official NPS source
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial begin winter hours of operation on December 1, 2024.
Official NPS sourceAllegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial begin winter hours of operation on December 1, 2024.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Philadelphia field office of the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) welcomed 21 new citizens on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 during a naturalization ceremony held at the statue of General Friedrich von Steuben in Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) invites the public to celebrate an “Iron Plantation Christmas” and stroll through the historic community of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. This free event will take place on Saturday, December 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature Christmas as celebrated during the 19th century at Hopewell Furnace.
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Guided cemetery walk at Friendship Hill NHS on October 26, 2024 at 10 AM and 2 PM; Veteran's Day Events at Fort Necessity; and seasonal closures.
Official NPS source
Fort Necessity's NB Veterans Day Event, Seasonal Closures and Guided Walk at Friendship Hill NHS
Official NPS source
PHILADELPHIA - The National Parks of Philadelphia unveiled a newly restored guardhouse in the southeast quadrant of Washington Square. Restoration work included a new roof, exterior wood repairs, and exterior painting. The project was made possible by funds donated by the Independence Historical Trust, philanthropic partner to the National Parks of Philadelphia, and the Washington Square Committee of the Society Hill Preservation Foundation.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service has awarded $1.2 million in grants supporting 14 community-driven projects that highlight the natural, cultural, recreational, and historical significance of the Chesapeake region. The grants empower a mix of diverse partners, from local Tribes to local nonprofit organizations, to tell untold stories, promote community resilience, and enhance public access to the outdoors across this treasured landscape.
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Superintendent Kristina Heister announced today that Zachary Bolitho has been selected as the Deputy Superintendent for Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) and Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS). Bolitho has worked at Gettysburg NMP and Eisenhower NHS as Division Lead of Resource Stewardship and Planning since 2011. He started his new assignment on September 22, 2024.
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George W. Childs Park (Childs Park), in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, will re-open to the public at noon on October 2, 2024, following a short opening ceremony.
Official NPS sourceHopewell Furnace invites you to join in commemorating the contributions of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) with a special guided hike and encampment on site Saturday, September 28. All programming is free to the public and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Official NPS source
The southern portion of Old Mine Road, between Worthington State Forest and Millbrook Village, on the New Jersey side of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is set to re-open on September 20 after receiving a major upgrade with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).
Official NPS sourceThe National Parks of Philadelphia will host a job fair at the Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market Streets) on September 18, 2024, from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceDelaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is sponsoring a student art contest in collaboration with Friends of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Peters Valley School of Craft, and Pocono Environmental Education Center to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025.
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The National Park Service and partners have published a Visitor Use Management Plan for the Virginia Triple Crown Segment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The Virginia Triple Crown Segment includes the iconic Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs areas. This plan will guide long term visitor management in this area.
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Flight 93 National Memorial will honor the 40 passengers and crew members on the 23rd observance on Wednesday, Sept. 11, with the 30-minute Moment of Remembrance. The 9:45 a.m. ceremony includes the reading of names and a moment of silence.
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PHILADELPHIA - Independence National Historical Park is excited to announce that Adrian Fernandez has been selected as Chief Ranger for the National Parks of Philadelphia. “Adrian's values and skill set match the National Park Service vision for the Semiquincentennial and beyond. He is a thoughtful leader who puts staff and visitor safety first” reported Park Superintendent, Steve Sims. Adrian has served as the National Parks of Philadelphia's deputy chief ranger since May of 2022. He begins his new duties effective September 8.
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A new National Park Service report shows that 54.3 thousand visitors to Hopewell Furnace in 2023 spent $3.6 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 51 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $5.8 million.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service report shows that 1.9 million visitors to Valley Forge National Historical Park in 2023 spent $27.2 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 411 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the economy of $44.7 million.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service report shows that 742,000 visitors to Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) and 98,000 visitors to Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS) in 2023 spent $61.4 million dollars in communities near the park. That spending supported 734 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $88.5 million dollars.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service report shows that 327,000 visitors to Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River in 2023 spent $16.6 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 157 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $21 million.
Official NPS sourceNational Park Service rangers and dive team members from Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and rescue teams from Bushkill, Dingmans and Westfall Fire Departments, and Lehman Township EMS responded to a call from Pike County Dispatch regarding a drowning at Bushkill Access on the afternoon of August 26, 2024.
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Join Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS) staff for our annual World War II Weekend from September 20 to 22. This year’s event theme is 1944, remembering the millions of Americans and Allies in arms who joined together with General Dwight D. Eisenhower in a “great crusade” to fight for freedom over fascism 80 years ago. Park rangers, guest speakers, living historians, and partner organizations will bring the stories and people of 1944 to life through three days of interactive programming and activities for visitors of all ages.
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Two separate incidents of vandalism were reported to park officials at Gettysburg National Military Park on August 15 and August 19. Park staff reported multiple boulders on Little Round Top had graffiti scribed into the large stones on August 15. Battlefield visitors reported that the historic War Department Observation Tower on Oak Ridge was spray painted with graffiti on August 19.
Official NPS source
For the first time since 2019, Steamtown National Historic Site’s Railfest returns to Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, 8/31, and Sunday, 9/1. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. General admission to the park and event is free. Train rides are $6 for ages 6 and up, $1 for ages 0-5, payment by credit card only. Railfest celebrates railroading’s past, present, and future with train rides, special demonstrations, exhibits, visiting rail equipment, musical entertainment, ranger programs, and a host of activities and displays offered by community partners.
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This Evening on the Lake program is August 27 at 7:00 p.m. Documents discovered from the collection of John Kephart, at the Cambria County Historical Society, led society members and park staff to determine the original owners of all sixteen cottages. These cottages were owned by members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club and sat along Lake Conemaugh. Participants will learn about the cottages and their respective owners.
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Join us at Friendship Hill National Historic Site on August 31st and September 1st to learn more about founding father Albert Gallatin and his role in the Whiskey Rebellion.
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Gettysburg National Military Park is pleased to announce the registration dates for the Tier-1 Written Exam. The written exam is the first step in a multi-tiered licensing process to become a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park.
Official NPS source
Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) staff are seeking public assistance regarding vandalism at Gettysburg NMP between February 13 and February 19, 2024. The vandalism occurred in the northern section of the battlefield at the Benner barn. Law enforcement rangers are conducting an active investigation and are seeking public assistance.
Official NPS sourceGettysburg National Military Park (NMP) staff are seeking public assistance regarding artifacts that went missing between December of 2023 and January of 2024. The artifacts were taken from a historical site near Brooke Avenue, commonly referred to the Timbers farm, on the southern end of the battlefield. Law enforcement rangers are conducting an active investigation and are seeking public assistance.
Official NPS source
On Saturday August 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River cordially invites the public to a nineteenth century baseball exhibition featuring the Mountain Athletic Club and the Elizabeth Resolutes. The free game will be at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Lackawaxen, PA.
Official NPS sourceDue to rising water levels in the Delaware River the river and all access points within the park are closed until levels recede below 15’ at the Montague, NJ gauge.
Official NPS source
Travel the path of the Johnstown Flood with a park ranger on a van tour. This free, four-hour tour is Saturday, August 3 at 1:00 p.m. and leaves from the Visitor Center. To make a required reservation due to limited space, please call 814-886-6171.
Official NPS source
Enjoy a night of music with Dead Irish Blues on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. in the park amphitheater.
Official NPS sourceOur next Evening on the Lake program is July 30 at 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker Dr. Patrick Farabaugh will be discussing his new book, Disastrous Floods and the Demise of Steel in Johnstown.
Official NPS source
On July 18 and 19, 2024, Gettysburg National Military Park and Gettysburg Foundation staff received a delegation from our Sister Park, the Sekigahara Battlefield, Sekigahara, Japan. Representatives from the Gifu Prefecture government, Sekigahara Battlefield and Japanese tourism associates were in attendance. Since the 2016 World Battlefields Summit Joint Declaration, this most recent visit continued the Sister Park relationship between the Gettysburg and Sekigahara battlefields.
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Beginning Monday July 29, park roads on the eastern portion of the battlefield in the Culp’s Hill and Spangler’s Spring areas, Coster Avenue, and Benner Hill will be repaved. This three-month project will address road surfaces that are at the end of their lifespan.
Official NPS source
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is celebrating Latino Conservation Week by offering a guided nature hike in Spanish and English on Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 11 AM – 12:30 PM at Sullivan County’s Minisink Battleground Park. El río escénico y recreativo Upper Delaware celebra la Semana de la Conservación Latina ofreciendo una caminata guiada por la naturaleza en español e inglés, el sábado 17 de agosto de 2024 de 11:00 a. m. a 12:30 p. m. en el "Minisink Battleground Park del condado de Sullivan".
Official NPS source
Our next Evening on the Lake program is The State of Johnstown Flood National Memorial. The program will discuss ongoing and future park projects. It takes place on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Club House building located at 186 Main Street in St. Michael.
Official NPS source
Travel the path of the Johnstown Flood with a park ranger on a van tour. This free, four-hour tour is Saturday, July 20 at 1:00 p.m. and leaves from the Visitor Center. To make a required reservation due to limited space, please call 814-886-6171.
Official NPS sourceEnjoy a night of music with musician Tim Dabbs on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. Tim Dabbs has been teaching music and performing for over 40 years. His style for writing music includes the topical style and story song.
Official NPS source
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Terrain360, the National Park Service’s (NPS) Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the Lewis and Clark Trust, Inc. is proud to announce a project that aims to map a portion of the Yellowstone River. The mapping will use state-of-the art 360° ultra-high-definition spherical imagery to capture 507 miles of river starting just south of Livingston, Montana to the confluence of the Missouri-Yellowstone Rivers. This monumental endeavor will generate over 1 million ultra-high-resolution images, providing an unparalleled view of this historically significant river.
Official NPS sourceNPS and local emergency services responded to and extinguished a small structural fire in the park.
Official NPS sourcePHILADELPHIA — The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site will close to the public for much needed upgrades to its fire detection and suppression system. The fire detection system will be replaced and a new fire suppression system will be installed throughout the complex. Consisting of two adjoining townhomes on North Seventh Street in the Spring Garden neighborhood, the site is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Construction will begin on July 8th and be completed by the fall of 2024. The site will be closed to the public for the duration of the project.
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PHILADELPHIA – The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the Independence Historical Trust, is pleased to announce the addition of a mobility ramp on historic Independence Square. For the first time in over 20 years, visitors will not need to go through security screening for wheelchair access to the south side of the Square. “We strive to create an equal and accessible experience for all visitors to Independence National Historical Park. Now people with mobility needs can access Independence Square without going through security” said Superintendent Steven Sims. “We are excited to work with the Trust to expand direct access to more park visitors.”
Official NPS source
Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) announces temporary road closures prior to the annual fireworks demonstration. Park roads will begin to close at 8 pm on July 4, 2024.
Official NPS source
Enjoy a night of Celtic Rock with the band Full Kilt on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. This local favorite plays traditional and Celtic songs with a modern twist.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) invites public input from July 2 to August 1, 2024, on a draft Trail Plan for First State National Historical Park’s Brandywine Valley unit. Public input will help shape the trail plan, which will establish a cohesive and sustainable trail network for the Brandywine Valley unit.
Official NPS source
Join Fort Necessity in honoring the 270th anniversary of the battle
Official NPS sourceAt around 7 pm this evening, NPS and volunteer search crews recovered the body of 24-year-old man from the river near Milford Beach.
Official NPS sourceNPS and volunteer crews engaged in a search for a missing man who was last seen swimming in the Delaware River at Milford Beach on Saturday afternoon around 3:15 pm.
Official NPS source
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River will host the 18th Annual Zane Grey Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the grounds of Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania. The festival is free and open to the public with fun for the entire family. Activities and events include live birds of prey, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, puppet show, arts & crafts, educational activities, and much more!
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Science Summer Camp is a fun and family-friendly way to learn about natural resources in the park and surrounding areas. Avoid the summer "brain drain" and earn stamps by attending the six activities!
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The National Park Service announces completion of the 911 National Memorial Trail Through Three Western Pennsylvania Park Units with a press conference at Flight 93 National Memorial.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service announces completion of the 911 National Memorial Trail Through Three Western Pennsylvania Park Units with a press conference at Flight 93 National Memorial.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service announces completion of the 911 National Memorial Trail Through Three Western Pennsylvania Park Units with a press conference at Flight 93 National Memorial.
Official NPS source
Gettysburg National Military Park celebrated the reopening of Little Round Top with a Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting earlier this morning. The Little Round Top area of the Gettysburg battlefield, that saw extensive fighting on the afternoon of July 2, 1863 was closed for extensive rehabilitation efforts. The area is expected to reopen to the public later today.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and the Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite you to join in commemorating the 248th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site on July 4, 2024.
Official NPS source
Our next Evening on the Lake presentation is Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Club House. The program discusses Pennsylvania Railroad operations and deteriorating conditions on May 31, 1889. It will also cover the rebuilding of the railroad in the days and months following the disaster. This program is presented by park volunteer Brandon Sliko.
Official NPS source
Living History Day is Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This annual event is free and there are program offerings for visitors of all ages. Programs include stone cutting, rope making, natural dyes, children's games, musket firing demonstrations and more!
Official NPS source
Travel the route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad with a park ranger on a four-hour van tour. This free tour is Saturday, June 15 at 1:00 p.m. and leaves from the Visitor Center. To make a required reservation, please call 814-886-6150.
Official NPS source
Beginning June 14, Fort Necessity National Battlefield will host a temporary exhibition, the American Revolution Experience, a collaborative project of the American Battlefield Trust and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The exhibit highlights the experiences of ordinary Americans and the choices they made leading up to and including the Revolutionary War. The temporary exhibit will travel across the country utilizing twelve panels highlighting individual stories and three interactive kiosks for visitors to explore and understand the importance of the Revolution for Americans today.
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The 2024 Summit Level hike is Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. This hike, led by a park ranger, is 3-miles in length along the Summit Level of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The hike goes from the head of Inclined Plane No. 6 to the location of where the Summit Hotel was in Summitville near the head of Inclined Plane 5. Reservations are required for this free hike. Please call the Visitor Center at 814-886-6150 to sign up.
Official NPS source
George Washington Birthplace Hosts National Trails Day Event on June 1st, 2024. Participating organizations include the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, The Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Northern Neck National Heritage Area, and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.
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The National Park Service and Johnstown Area Heritage Association will host a series of events to commemorate the 135th anniversary of the 1889 Johnstown Flood and honor the victims of the catastrophe.
Official NPS source
Our first Evening on the Lake presentation of the 2024 season is Tuesday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m. This is part of our special programming for the 135th anniversary of the Johnstown Flood. Guest speaker Tyler Garhart will be guiding participants throughout the Visitor Center to view a variety of objects on display from the flood. This program is free, and no reservations are required.
Official NPS source
Employees at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area have been busy gearing up and getting facilities ready for a busy summer season. Visitors should make sure they have up to date information on seasonal conditions before visiting the park.
Official NPS source
Farmington, PA- On Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 2024, Fort Necessity National Battlefield will host a living history program recreating camp life near the reconstructed Fort Necessity to observe the 270th anniversary of the Jumonville Affair. Volunteers, staff and living historians will portray members of the French and British armies as well as Native Americans who served at the Great Meadows in 1754.
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The River Runner returns for summer Saturdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Official NPS source
Join Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS) staff to remember and honor the men and women, who 80 years ago, who took part in General Dwight Eisenhower’s “great crusade” to liberate Europe. From June 6-9, park staff will host special programming at Eisenhower NHS and in Gettysburg National Cemetery to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
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Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) is pleased to announce that two historic homes on the Gettysburg battlefield, the Michael Bushman and the John Slyder houses, will be available for overnight accommodations beginning on May 24, 2024.
Official NPS source
First State National Historical Park open's the park’s first welcome center at the Sheriff’s House, located in New Castle. The center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Official NPS source
“Doors Open Gettysburg” offers an insider’s look at the history of four magnificent battlefield and farm structures at Gettysburg National Military Park.
Official NPS source
“Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” Day takes place on Friday, May 17, 2024. Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River invites the public to help save lives by showing their support for water safety.
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Mark your calendars! Railfest returns to Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) Labor Day weekend: Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September 1, 2024. This year’s celebration will be offered in partnership with the Iron Horse Society, Steamtown’s official philanthropic partner.
Official NPS sourceIndependence National Historical Park (INHP) has been awarded reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, the government, funders, outside agencies, and the museum-going public. It also means the park continues to meet National Standards and Best Practices for U.S. Museums and remains a member of a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence. Through a rigorous process of self-assessment and review by peers, the park has shown itself to be a good steward of its resources held in the public trust and committed to a philosophy of continual institutional growth.
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How did Gettysburg and the Great War shape a future five-star general and president? Explore answers to this question and more at Eisenhower National Historic Site’s (NHS) World War I Weekend on May 4 & 5. The National Park Service will host interactive living history displays with exhibits and programs exploring the American experience in World War I.
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Hopewell Furnace invites you to join in commemorating the beginning of National Park Week with a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) encampment on site Saturday, April 20. All programming is free to the public and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Official NPS source
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail has released its 2023 Annual Report. The report documents a year of work with partners across the U.S. to commemorate and protect the 4,900-mile-long historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Official NPS source
Flight 93 National Memorial has started a ten-year project to revitalize the trees within the 40 Memorial Groves. The National Park Service and the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial are initiating the first phase of a public-private campaign to restore the living tribute to the Flight 93 crew members and passengers.
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Join us April 17th at 11 AM to install the Lafayette Trail marker in the Friendship Hill National Historic Site visitor parking lot.
Official NPS sourceSites are reopening and fee season begins for the 2024 season on Monday, April 15.
Official NPS source
Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) train rides resume for the 2024 season on Saturday, May 4. The Steamtown rail experience varies from short 30-minute trips exploring the park’s historic railroad yard to full-day trips along the Pocono or Carbondale lines. Our short train rides will begin on Saturday, May 4 and the first excursion trip of the season will head to Gouldsboro, PA on Saturday, May 25. Tickets will be available online through recreation.gov
Official NPS sourcePHILADELPHIA — The National Park Service will soon break ground on a $14 million project at Independence National Historical Park to upgrade and replace the park’s extensive heating and cooling infrastructure and implement new energy conservation measures.
Official NPS source
Sections of Old Mine Road will be rehabilitated with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund.
Official NPS source
Valley Forge National Historical Park has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to lease and operate the Philander Chase Knox House as an Event Venue. This RFP seeks offers for a successor lease that will begin no earlier than May 1, 2026.
Official NPS sourceA visitor at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was bitten by a raccoon while hiking on the McDade Recreational Trail between Bushkill Access and the Valley View Campground on March 14. The racoon later tested positive for rabies.
Official NPS source
Gettysburg National Military Park is pleased to announce it will be hosting a Licensed Battlefield Guide exam in 2024.
Official NPS source
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, in collaboration with the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, is accepting essay submissions for inclusion in this year’s Independence Day programming at the park on July 4th. Students in Grades 6 – 12 attending school within the boundaries of local school districts of Antietam, Boyertown, Coatesville, Daniel Boone, Downingtown, Exeter, Governor Mifflin, Oley Valley, Owen J Roberts, Phoenixville, Pottsgrove, Pottstown, Reading, Spring-Ford, Twin Valley, and Wyomissing are encouraged to participate.
Official NPS source
Apply now to join Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River for the 2024 summer season. Two announcements, including one position specific for applicants fluent in Spanish, are open on USAJOBS.gov until February 2 and February 5, 2024, respectively.
Official NPS source
High winds, heavy rainfall, and snow melt may cause hazardous conditions including power outages, downed trees, and creek, stream, and roadway flooding. Excess caution is advised while traveling in the area.
Official NPS sourceHeavy rain and high winds overnight Sunday into Monday created hazardous conditions within the park. Roadway flooding from mountain runoff, downed trees, and high river levels have closed some areas.
Official NPS source
Three national scenic trails have become the country’s newest national parks, raising the total number of existing parks from 425 to 428. The Ice Age, New England, and North Country national scenic trails, all previously established by Congress and administered by the National Park Service as part of the National Trails System, are now also recognized as units of the National Park System.
Official NPS sourceVisitor services and maintenance operations will be reduced during the winter months when staffing levels and visitation are at their lowest. Routes providing critical access to and through the park will take priority. Some areas will receive no winter maintenance or be closed for the season.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) awarded $2,367,633.17 in Chesapeake Gateways Grants through the NPS Chesapeake Gateways Office in September to fund 22 projects. Governmental and non-governmental organizations spearhead the projects funded by Chesapeake Gateways grants to bring out familiar, untold, under-appreciated, or yet to be uncovered narratives and to promote resilient communities & landscapes through tourism, sustainability, conservation & local economies throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These awards are made possible through annual appropriations from Congress.
Official NPS source
At an intimate naturalization ceremony at First State National Historical Park in New Castle, Delaware, 20 people from 12 different countries became United States citizens.
Official NPS sourceMilford Beach will be closed to the public from sunrise to sunset on October 4, 2023, for a multi-agency, multi-hazard response exercise.
Official NPS source
National Park Service has selected Ed Clark as the new superintendent of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. He is expected to begin his new assignment on October 8.
Official NPS sourceContractors are making progress on the final stage of restoration at George W. Childs Park. The site remains closed to visitors during construction but is tentatively scheduled for reopening in spring or summer of 2024.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service reminds all boaters and paddlers that due to high water over the next several days, wearing a properly fitted and fastened, United States Coast Guard-approved life jacket is required at all times while on the Delaware River. Swimming is also prohibited at park beaches due to hazardous conditions.
Official NPS sourceNew operators are looking forward to providing memorable camping experiences to new generations and to continuing long-standing traditions for returning guests.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) and its partners co-managing Appalachian National Scenic Trail’s Virginia’s Triple Crown segment near Roanoke, Va., encourage members of the public to comment on a draft Visitor Use Management Plan for Virginia’s Triple Crown segment of the trail. Comments will be gathered August 1 - 31, 2023.
Official NPS source
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area hosts Science Summer Camp, an educational summer program held on six consecutive Fridays in July and August. The program is free to attend.
Official NPS sourceThe body of Jose Madera Martinez, 19, of Paterson, New Jersey, was recovered by NPS search crews around 11:15 am on Sunday, July 16, from the waters of the Delaware River near Kittatinny Point within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Official NPS sourceNational Park Service rangers and Search and Rescue Team members from Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River are engaged in a search for a missing swimmer who was reported to be struggling in the water while swimming in the Delaware River at Karamac at around 8 pm on Thursday evening.
Official NPS source
On Monday, July 17, the trail crew at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will begin the final stage of repairs to the Dingmans Falls boardwalk trail. During construction, the boardwalk trail will be closed on weekdays and an alternate route will be available for use.
Official NPS sourceThe public is invited to join Superintendent Sapp and members of the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) at the Lower Hornbecks Creek trailhead for a special initiation ceremony on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 10 am.
Official NPS sourceDelaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is transitioning to a cashless fee system at Smithfield, Milford, and Turtle Beaches. Fee collection booths at those three sites will only accept credit/debit card payments when employees are on duty.
Official NPS sourceThe final stage of restoration at George W. Childs Park in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area starts May 30 and is anticipated to continue through the fall. The site remains closed to visitors but will tentatively re-open in the spring or summer of 2024.
Official NPS sourceEmployees at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area have been busy gearing up and getting facilities ready for a busy summer season. The 70,000-acre national park unit in PA and NJ and was the 14th most-visited national park unit in the country in 2022 with 4.4 million visits recorded.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service, in partnership with Monroe County Transit Authority (MCTA), offers three different shuttle services to help reduce congestion in busy areas and help visitors, and their gear, get around. The shuttles operate within the park between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.
Official NPS source
NEW Traffic Pattern at Smith Bridge Parking Lot, beginning Saturday, May 27th
Official NPS sourcePark Rangers at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area want to remind anyone thinking about a river trip during the week of May 1, 2023 that additional safety requirements are in effect.
Official NPS sourceDo you know a local educator who loves nature or history and is searching for a unique professional development opportunity this summer? If so, then Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has the perfect position.
Official NPS source
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River celebrates National Park Week, specifically Junior Ranger Day on April 29, 2023, with the launch of a newly designed Junior Ranger interactive, fold-out pocket booklet and wooden Junior Ranger badge.
Official NPS sourceDelaware Water Gap National Recreation Area announced today that sites that were closed for the winter will officially re-open on Friday, April 14. Expanded amenity fees will go into effect on Monday, April 17 and will be collected until mid-October.
Official NPS sourceMost forests in eastern United States national parks are at risk due to browsing by overabundant white-tailed deer and crowding by invasive plants, according to a National Park Service (NPS) study published in the journal Ecological Applications.
Official NPS sourcePark Rangers at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area want to thank the public for the outpouring of tips related to the recent vandalism at George W. Childs Park in Delaware Township, PA. Those responsible for the graffiti on the Brooks Woolen Mill ruins and the original 1892 date stone have been identified, located, and charges are pending.
Official NPS sourcePark Rangers at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area are seeking tips from the public about recent vandalism at George W. Childs Park in Delaware Township, Pennsylvania. Areas damaged include the historic Brooks Woolen Mill ruins and the original date stone.
Official NPS source
NPS Chesapeake is pleased to announce new capacity to support and serve partners in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Two new members of the NPS Chesapeake leadership team have joined the office based in Annapolis, Maryland, bringing a wealth of experience: Ian Austin, Director of Administration and Eddie Gonzalez, Director of Partnerships and Grants. Three additional NPS employees have joined NPS Chesapeake office to lead key projects: Brent Everitt, Communications and Visitor Experience Specialist; Aurelia Gracia, Outdoor Recreation Planner; and Cherri Espersen, Partnerships Coordinator.
Official NPS sourceUS Route 209 within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will be closed between Route 739 and Raymondskill Road from 8 am to 4 pm on Monday, February 27 so that contractors can safely conduct geotechnical test borings under the road.
Official NPS sourceMotorists can expect River Road within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to be closed on several evenings between now and mid-April to protect breeding amphibians.
Official NPS source
The park is currently recruiting lifeguards and lead lifeguards to staff park beaches during the 2023 summer season. Lifeguards will be stationed at one or more of the park’s three beaches, including Smithfield and Milford Beaches in PA and Turtle Beach in NJ. Applications are due by April 14, 2023.
Official NPS sourceLegislation allowing limited use of US Route 209 through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area by some commercial vehicles was signed into law by President Biden as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, on December 29, 2022. Until the new law expires on September 30, 2026, eligible operators of local commercial vehicles with 4 or fewer axles may obtain a permit to use US Route 209 through the park.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to lease two historic properties in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to lease two historic properties in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is pleased to share its 2022 Annual Report. Highlights include a collaborative panoramic mapping project, the National Freeman Tilden Award, Lewis and Clark Trail resource documentation, web and NPS mobile app updates, and the yearly spending and projects report.
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It looks like winter! Numerous anglers excitedly anticipate this time of year so that they can participate in one of their favorite cold weather activities, which is ice fishing. The National Park Service would like to remind everyone of a few safety precautions to follow while out on the ice this season. One of the most important things to remember is the mandatory cold weather life jacket wear regulation that is in effect through April 30, 2023. Regardless of age, everyone must be wearing a properly fitted and fastened life jacket while boating on the Upper Delaware River this winter. While ice fishing on the river it is strongly recommended and advised that everyone wear a life jacket.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Specialist Caitlin Campbell has won the Freeman Tilden Award, the highest award presented to a National Park Service individual to recognize outstanding contributions to the profession of interpretation.
Official NPS sourceDelaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides year-round recreational opportunities, however visitor services and maintenance operations are reduced during the winter months when staffing levels and visitation are at their lowest. This includes the closure of some roads and visitor use sites and reduced maintenance at others.
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National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Gay Vietzke announces Lindsey Kurnath as the next superintendent of Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, located in Pennsylvania and New York state.
Official NPS sourceThe park intends to replace an existing salt storage shed with a safe, effective salt storage facility that prevents environmental impacts. The public can review the designs for the new facility and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office online during a 30-day review period from November 7 to December 6, 2022.
Official NPS source
National Park Service Northeast Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Doyle Sapp as the next superintendent of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He has served there as acting superintendent since August, when he stood in for the departing Sula Jacobs.
Official NPS sourceThe restoration of 20 acres of wetlands and 800 feet of Van Campens Brook at the Watergate Recreation Site on the NJ side of the park was accomplished by removing dams and ponds and returning the area to its natural topography. The restoration re-established the natural flow of both surface water and groundwater, allowing wetlands to flourish and stream quality to improve.
Official NPS sourceA contract has been awarded for the next phase of restoration and construction work at George W. Childs Park (Childs Park). Work to repair storm damage will begin Fall 2022 with construction continuing through 2023.
Official NPS sourcePark rangers at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will conduct a sobriety check point on the Pennsylvania side of the park on Friday evening, September 2, in an effort reduce the number of impaired drivers on park roads and keep motorists safe.
Official NPS source
A variety of National Park Service (NPS) employees, volunteers and partners were honored at a ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve.
Official NPS sourceUS Park Rangers at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area are seeking information from the public to aid an ongoing investigation into recent vehicle break-ins within the park.
Official NPS sourceNPS Dive Team recovers body of teenage boy from Delaware River
Official NPS sourceDingmans Falls Trail repairs begin July 18. The Boardwalk trail will be closed weekdays with an alternate route available.
Official NPS sourceA new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 6,675,119 visitors to national parks in Maryland spent $246.6 million in the state in 2021. That spending resulted in 2,940 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $344.3 million.
Official NPS sourceA new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 2,187,125 visitors to national parks in West Virginia spent $108.9 million in the state in 2021. That spending resulted in 1,447 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $131 million.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 28,599,634 visitors to national parks in the District of Columbia spent $600,600,000 in 2021. That spending resulted in 5,293 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the District’s economy of $679,400,000.
Official NPS sourceCrews Search Delaware River for missing swimmer.
Official NPS sourceStarting May 27, visitors who wish to use any of the 62 primitive river campsites along the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will have to make a reservation and pay a $16 per site/per night fee. The fee and reservation system has been successfully piloted at 6 river campsites on the Pennsylvania side of the park known as Alosa since 2015 and is now being expanded to include all river campsites in the park.
Official NPS source
The park is conducting a dye tracer study along US Route 209 near mile marker 17 beginning May 20 to determine the pathway water stakes underground. You may notice areas along the Delaware River near the study area where water has a temporary bright fluorescent yellow-green color. Although the dye used is highly visible, it is a commonly used, environmentally friendly, non-persistent, biodegradable, non-toxic dye that is often used in fish hatcheries. The color will disappear in a matter of hours to days as it dilutes and degrades.
Official NPS sourceLast week, National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams visited Colonial National Historical Park in Yorktown, Fort Monroe National Monument in Hampton, and Werowocomoco in Gloucester County, part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail to learn about the vast diversity of these significant sites and the work that will need to be done to continue their preservation.
Official NPS source2022 commercial vehicle permits for US Route 209 will be available for purchase by qualifying commercial vehicle operators beginning April 27, 2022.
Official NPS source
National Park Service Director Chuck Sams visited Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in New Jersey and Pennsylvania as part of a cross country tour during National Park Week.
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The National Park Service and US Senator Tom Carper kicked off National Park Week Friday morning with a press event to celebrate the rehabilitation of the historic Sheriff’s House in New Castle, Delaware.
Official NPS sourceSites that were closed for the winter will officially re-open on Friday, April 15, though some were opened earlier due to favorable conditions. Expanded amenity fees will go into effect on Monday, April 18 and will be collected until October 10.
Official NPS source
Last Friday, April 1st, 2022, the Rappahannock Indian Tribe announced the return of 465 acres of land along the Rappahannock River. The donation of the conservation easement to the Tribe ensures that this ancestral homeland will be protected from development and remain in the hands of Tribal citizens for generations to come.
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A 5-mile section of US Route 209 that was closed on March 17 will re-open on April 1 with two sections of single-lane traffic controlled by temporary traffic lights.
Official NPS source
The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF). This grant will support fourth-grade field trip programs that connect students living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to their local environment and history.
Official NPS sourceA section of US Route 209 between Raymondskill Road and Route 739 within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will be closed as of 8:30 am today due to a damaged culvert that has increased erosion of the slope between the road and Delaware River near Mile Marker 17.
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Kalen Anderson, this year's Lead Ancestral Lands Corps Individual Placement, has been selected Corps Member of the Year by The Corps Network. Kalen is one of three recipients of the award selected from among the more than 20,000 young people serving in Corps programs across the country.
Official NPS sourceExtensive repairs to a seven-mile section of US Route 209 within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will begin the week of March 7 and are expected to be completed by the end of the year. The work is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) and is part of an overall project estimated at over $21 million to completely rehabilitate 14 miles of the primary north-south artery and emergency access route through the park over the next two years.
Official NPS sourceMotorists can expect River Road within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to be closed on several evenings over the next 6 weeks to protect breeding amphibians. The trigger for the road closures will be forecasts calling for evening rain with mild temperatures.
Official NPS source
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail has released its 2021 Annual Report. The report documents a year of work with partners across the U.S. to commemorate and protect the 4,900-mile-long historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke announced that Joshua Boles will serve as the new superintendent of First State National Historical Park in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
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Each year, agencies and organizations engaged in public outreach submit publications, videos, digital campaigns, and exhibits for competition in NAI’s media awards. The Lewis and Clark Trail Junior Ranger Activity Journal was awarded first place NAI Media Award in the book category after receiving top marks for thoughtful messaging and innovative online components.
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Great American Outdoors Act project to revitalize seven miles of US Route 209 will begin in the spring.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a $5.4 million construction contract to rehabilitate the historic Sheriff’s House at First State National Historical Park in Delaware. The Sheriff’s House is a contributing feature to the New Castle National Historic Landmark Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Beginning November 29, 2021, First State National Historical Park will be restricting access to the Smith Bridge Parking Lot by closing the right side of the lot to allow for the landscape to recover and maintenance.
Official NPS source
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides year-round recreational opportunities, however visitor services and maintenance operations are reduced during the winter months when staffing levels and visitation are at their lowest. This includes the closure of some roads and visitor use sites.
Official NPS sourceNews Release: NPS Hosts River Ramble Fall Classic on November 14, 2021
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service project to repair several bridges and a culvert on US Route 209 in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is nearing completion and is expected to be wrapped up soon.
Official NPS source
Work is completed on the historic stone culvert on Mountain Road and on the Buttermilk Falls Trail. The road and trail will re-open on October 22, 2021.
Official NPS sourceDue to bridge construction along US Route 209, the McDade Trail will be closed from Bushkill Village to Bushkill Access until approximately the end of November as a safety measure for visitors.
Official NPS source
On Saturday, August 28, 2021, National Park Service volunteer Sal Lilienthal completed a 680 mile revolutionary ride at the Yorktown Victory Monument, becoming the first person to complete a full ride of the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail.
Official NPS sourcePark rangers at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will conduct a sobriety check point on the Pennsylvania side of the park on Friday evening, August 13, in an effort reduce the number of impaired drivers on park roads and keep motorists safe.
Official NPS source
Mulberry Bend Overlook will be closed temporarily while the park addresses accessibility issues at the overlook. The trail is being redesigned and reconstructed.
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Read the 2020 State of the Trail Report for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
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(OMAHA, NE) July 19, 2021 — As travelers seek out more authentic ways to connect with people and places, the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail unveils the ultimate online trip-planning portal, lewisandclark.travel. This website is designed to help visitors learn more about the host communities, local businesses, and attractions located along the 4,900-mile trail that runs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the Pacific Ocean.
Official NPS sourceDelaware Water Gap National Recreation Area released today a draft Historic Buildings Strategy (HBS) for a 30-day public review and comment period. Comments will be accepted from July 12 through August 10, 2021.
Official NPS source
Omaha, Neb. – Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will resume indoor visitor services at their visitor center in Omaha, Neb. starting July 1, consistent with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Interior. All services will return to pre-pandemic levels, including issuance of the park passes, access to restroom facilities, and the reopening of Riverfront Books. Some exhibits will be modified or removed to reduce risks associated with COVID-19.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail announces the debut of a trailwide Junior Ranger program, which is now available at more than 30 locations in 13 states across the country.
Official NPS sourceFind out where to go and what to do in the park in 2021.
Official NPS source
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will celebrate National Park Week April 17-25, 2021. We encourage you to participate in one of our virtual activities to help you celebrate National Park Week.
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Through a Challenge Cost Share Grant from the National Park Trust, First State National Historical Park (NHP) and Stroud Water Research Center (the Stroud Center) developed an engaging youth program, called Youth Watershed Explorers, that consisted of a mix of at-home and in-park experiences.
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Werowocomoco was the residence of Powhatan and the site of the first meetings between Native leaders and English colonists. The new exhibit provides the public with its first opportunity to interact with this world-class archeological site.
Official NPS sourceBridge and culvert repair work on US Route 209 within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is anticipated to start on April 5, 2021.
Official NPS source
First State National Historical Park (NHP) Superintendent Cinda Waldbuesser has named Martina Meyers as the park’s first Chief Ranger.
Official NPS sourceThe Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (Chesapeake Trail) is pleased to announce that its first cohort of interns has completed the inaugural Ancestral Lands Corps Individual Placement Program at Werowocomoco, the historic capital of the Powhatan chiefdom and a site of international and historical significance located on Virginia's York River.
Official NPS sourceDelaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has begun construction work for the Watergate Wetlands Restoration Project. The project will restore wetlands, floodplains, and a stream at the Watergate Recreation Site in Hardwick Township, Warren County, New Jersey by removing man-made dams and ponds, creating a wetland meadow complex in their place, and reestablishing the connection between Van Campens Brook and its floodplain.
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The Archeological Overview and Assessment (AOA) of Werowocomoco, residence of Powhatan and the site of the first meetings between Native leaders and English colonists, was completed in November 2020. The 183-page report summarizes the current state of archeological research and offers direction for future preservation and management of the archeological resources found on this historical site, which was acquired by the National Park Service in 2016.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail has released its 2020 Annual Report. The report documents a year of partnerships and projects with the common goal of commemorating and protecting the 4,900 mile historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition from Pittsburgh to the Pacific.
Official NPS source
During the week of November 16, 2020, the National Park Service will begin work on the rehabilitation of Sheriff’s House. The Sheriff’s House is adjacent to the New Castle Court House Museum on the Green in New Castle, Delaware.
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National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Rosalyn “Rose” Fennell as the new superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, and the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail in Pennsylvania. Fennell will begin her new assignment on September 27, 2020.
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After a thorough review of all comments, the National Park Service has decided to name the northern unit of the park Brandywine Valley.
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The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (WARO) has announced a partnership with Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution to highlight the lesser known stories of African Americans, indigenous populations, women and children and their contributions to the American Revolution. The partnership includes the commissioning of a painting by renowned American artist Don Troiani, in an exhibition of Troiani's work at the Museum.
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An expedition is only as successful as its preparation. On May 12, 2019, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail was extended to include eastern sites that played vital roles in the planning and supply procurement for the Corps of Discovery expedition. With a new historical trail head at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Trail now winds 4,900 miles to St. Louis, Missouri, along the Missouri River to the Great Plains, across the Rockies and on to the Pacific Ocean. This week, we celebrate the first anniversary of this 1,200 mile extension.
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The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will celebrate National Park Week April 18-26, 2020. We encourage you to participate in one of our virtual activities to help you celebrate National Park Week while social distancing at home.
Official NPS sourceEffective immediately, the National Park Service is closing all overnight shelters (56 total) and privies (75 total) on land administered by the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Park Office in the states of VA (10 shelters, 12 privies), MD (1 shelter, 2 privies), PA (8 shelters, 6 privies), NJ (1 shelter, 1 privy), NY (5 shelters, 5 privies), CT (7 shelters, 16 privies), MA (1 shelter, 4 privies), and ME (22 shelters, 29 privies). These closures are consistent with and in concurrence of our state and non-profit partners. These modifications to operations are in support of federal, state, and local efforts to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, partners, and local communities. These closures will be in effect until further notice.
Official NPS sourceOmaha, Neb, – The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail visitor center is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 23, 2020 the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail visitor center in Omaha, Nebraska is closed until further notice.
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The National Park Service is working to determine a consistent name which will be used on park signs and in official documents to call the 1,100 acres of the park located in Wilmington DE. The park will hold an open house to gather public input into this decision. UPDATE: Out of an abundance of caution related to COVID-19, we are cancelling the open house scheduled for March 24th. Instead of a meeting, we will take written comments and questions until March 27th. Details can be found on the First State NHP Facebook Page.
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In partnership with the National Park Service, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association will work with Tribes to develop cultural heritage content and itineraries for the websites LewisAndClark.travel and NativeAmerica.travel.
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National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Cinda Waldbuesser as the new superintendent of First State National Historical Park in Delaware. Waldbuesser will begin her new assignment in January.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service Development Advisory Board has approved the project scope and schematic design for adaptive re-use of the historic Sheriff's House, a preliminary step in rehabilitation of the building. The Sheriff’s House is adjacent to the New Castle Courthouse on the Green in New Castle, Delaware.
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National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Wendy O’Sullivan as the superintendent of the Chesapeake Bay Office, headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland.
Official NPS source
In the early 19th century, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an ambitious expedition across the western United States. Lewis and Clark greatly expanded our knowledge of the country’s geography and biological diversity through their specimen collection, mapping of the landscape and detailed journal entries. This year NASA and the National Park Service encourage the public to follow in these explorers’ footsteps through a new citizen science challenge from June 1 to Sept. 2. Use your smart phone and the NASA GLOBE Observer (GO) app to map land cover along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and elsewhere to assist scientists studying environmental changes.
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Over the course of four days in April and May, the park hosted nearly 1,000 Delaware 4th grade students to experience ArCH (Arts, Culture and Heritage) Preservation Field Days on The Green in Dover. ArCH Preservation Field Days is a yearly event, done in partnership with First State Heritage Park in Dover, to introduce elementary-aged students to all of the ways science, art, history and heritage relate to historic preservation.
Official NPS sourceOmaha, Neb. –No trip begins without preparation and this is especially true for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. To commemorate the importance of preparation for the expedition, 1,200 miles have just been added to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act signed on March 12, 2019 includes the trail extension, which adds an additional 1,200 miles to the national historic trail starting at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Official NPS sourceFirst State National Historical Park, in partnership with the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, is initiating an archaeological investigation prior to the final planning for the rehabilitation of the Sheriff’s House and the adjacent exterior perimeter as the park’s new office and visitor center.
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The National Park Service and its principal non-profit partner Chesapeake Conservancy make available the short film, “Werowocomoco: Protecting a Powhatan Place of Power.” This film depicts the importance of preserving the historic and sacred site of the Virginia Indian people.
Official NPS sourceNorth Country National Scenic Trail Celebrates a new milestone in Augusta, Michigan, with a hike and planning session on land acquired last year.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service has issued a decision regarding the future of the Sheriff’s House at First State National Historical Park and concluding the park’s environmental assessment (EA) planning process. The decision document, known as a Finding of No Significant Impact, or “FONSI,” describes the alternatives considered, the alternative selected for implementation, and the rationale used to make the selection. The FONSI also describes the mitigation measures that will be taken to ensure the protection of natural and cultural resources and the quality of the visitor experience at the park.
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American Solar Challenge 2018 is starting from the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Omaha, NE.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is pleased to announce the release of the Environmental Assessment for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail reroute through the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge. The agencies are soliciting comments through July 20, 2018.
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The National Park Service (NPS) is offering a unique opportunity to manage approximately 350 acres of leased property within the First State National Historical Park (FRST) through a Request For Proposals (RFP). The leased property includes eleven single family homes, four horse farms and approximately 240 acres of agricultural land.
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Get ready to explore First State National Historical Park like never before! On May 20-21, First State will participate in the National Parks BioBlitz.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and the Maryland Geocaching Society announce a six-week collaboration designed to introduce geocaching participants to national parks and public lands in Maryland.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and the Maryland Geocaching Society announce a six-week collaboration designed to introduce geocaching participants to national parks and public lands in Maryland.
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Western National Parks Association Selects Lewis and Clark Trail employees for the Stewart L Udall Award.
Official NPS sourceIn collaboration with federal, state, local government and non-profit partners, the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office recently published the Potomac River Segment Plan. This plan aims to serve park managers, visitors and residents through recreational and stewardship activities along the 140-mile tidal Potomac River where three national trails overlap.
Official NPS sourceNational Park Service Chesapeake Bay youth program used an Active Trails grant from the National Park Foundation for enhancements to a sensory-rich trail experience for people with special needs.
Official NPS sourceNational Park Service Chesapeake Bay received an Active Trails grant from the National Park Foundation. The funds were used to help build a sensory-rich trail experience for all people at Maryland's Patapsco Valley State Park.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service, Chesapeake Bay Office is accepting project proposals from Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Trail partners for financial assistance awards. Public water access site development projects that advance the development of designated Gateways water trails, the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, and/or the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail are the funding priority for fiscal year 2014.
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The NPS Chesapeake Bay Office and partner Chesapeake Conservancy hosted over fifty representatives from federal, state, local agencies and national and regional conservation groups recently at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office announces the appointment of 23 members to the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Advisory Council.Members of the Council, appointed by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, will consult with the Secretary and the National Park Service on matters related to the trail, including trail development, public access, recreation opportunities, and educational programs along the trail route.
Official NPS sourceAdvisory Councils for the John Smith Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner Trail will meet together on October 7, 2013 in Washington, DC.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office announces the appointment of 25 members to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Advisory Council. Members of the Council, appointed by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, will consult with the Secretary and the National Park Service on matters related to the trail, including trail management, public access, recreation opportunities, and natural and cultural resource conservation along the trail route.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office announced the appointment of 26 members to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Advisory Council. Members of the Council, appointed by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, will consult with the Secretary and the National Park Service on matters related to trail management, public access, recreation opportunities, and natural and cultural resource conservation along the trail route.
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The National Park Service Northeast Regional Office has selected Charles E. "Chuck" Hunt as the new superintendent of the NPS Chesapeake Bay office.
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On Friday, June 21, 2013, nearly 300 people gathered to celebrate the protection of Werowocomoco, the principal residence of the secular and spiritual Indian leader Powhatan when Jamestown was settled in 1607.
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The book In Full Glory Reflected: Discovering the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake was recognized yesterday with an award by the Maryland Historical Trust. The book serves as the history and travel guide to the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.
Official NPS sourceNPS and the Chesapeake Conservancy released a report summarizing the 2-day Large Landscape Conservation Workshop attended by 56 Chesapeake region conservation practitioners in August, 2012.
Official NPS source
NPS and the Chesapeake Conservancy released a report summarizing the 2-day Large Landscape Conservation Workshop attended by 56 Chesapeake region conservation practitioners in August, 2012.
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NPS Chesapeake Bay Office announced financial assistance for 21 partners and 24 projects totaling over $1.3 million. These projects focus on education, youth employment, and public access and trail development.
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The NPS Chesapeake Bay Office invested $1.36M with 21 partners for 24 projects in youth engagement, education, public access, and trail development on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.
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On July 30, 2012, the National Park Service officially launched the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail in a ceremony recognizing the hard work of partners from all nine regions of the trail.
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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar designated four water trails as new historic components of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The designation recognizes the significance of four connecting rivers -- the Susquehanna, Chester, Upper James, and Upper Nanticoke -- to the history, cultural heritage, and natural resources of the trail. Designation enables NPS to work closely with state and local agencies and other partners to provide technical and financial assistance, resource management, facility enhancement, interpretive trail route marking and promotion along the connecting trails. Government and tribal leaders, conservation partners, and interested citizens joined Secretary Salazar and NPS Director Jon Jarvis in a signing ceremony on May 16, 2012 at Sandy Point State Park.
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Four historic connecting components to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail were designated by DOI Secretary Salazar. Trail partners gathered at Sandy Point State Park in Maryland for the signing ceremony.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and the Commonwealth of Virginia are launching projects in 2012 to orient visitors to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and to provide interpretive and recreational opportunities.
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Eleven geocaches are added to the Captain John Smith GeoTrail and celebrated in a launch event in Onancock Virginia, a Gateways Network and John Smith Trail partner site.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office announced the appointment of 25 members to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Advisory Council.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay released its draft Comprehensive Management Plan/Environmental Assessment for Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail today. Public review of the plan is encouraged and comments may be made for thirty days.
Official NPS sourceMISSOURI RIVER BASIN LEWIS & CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER NEW FEE PROPOSAL OPEN HOUSE
Official NPS source