Research and Education in the National Parks Guidebook, 1932

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“The people of the United States have seen the wisdom of preserving in national ownership for posterity the conspicuous and unique natural wonderlands of our country.” True words when they were published in this 1932 guidebook and true words today. Add to it the undeniable learning experience that each and every visit to a national park, site, or monument can be and the value of our National Park Service system is amplified by orders of magnitude. To that end, the original goal of conservation of unique lands and spaces was expanded in the early part of the 20th century to include interpretation and visitor guidance. Again, this guide’s introduction puts it best: “To provide each visitor to a national park with an opportunity to interpret and appreciate its superlative features has become the goal of all those interested in the highest use of national parks and has led to the establishment of an educational program to attain this end.” As far as we can tell, this is the first summary of the extensive R&D program that led to the expert interpretation we now expect to find at each park. Of course, the process and manner of interpretation has evolved greatly over time, as the historical aperture has widened to be more complete in the telling. This guide is a product of its time, the official job of “ranger naturalist” (precursor to “ranger”) having only been open only to men in 1932 and up through the 1970s; and this despite many pioneer women rangers having served from the 1918-on, if without the uniform and badge. There were no doubt holes in accepted historical interpretations when the guide was printed, as well; but the significant resources that went into describing and analyzing the natural world of these parks, and more over, the care and craft of building, expanding, and disseminating a system of interpretive background information for the throngs of curious visitors is evident even at this early stage. Such subject-matter expertise has been baked into the mission of the parks from the start, this guide an important early milestone in setting the pace. Covering mostly western parks (Acadia in Maine one of the very few eastern Nat’l Parks at that time), this guide is filled with B&W photos of park scenes that are still iconic almost a century later, a wonderful testament to the nation’s continued commitment to conservation and wide-angle interpretation. [Condition: Used Good. At nearly a century old, this paper guide is in great shape. The cover shows wear, especially at its exposed edges; but it is not considerable. There is some staining on the cover too, but not enough to denigrate the overall piece. The interior pages, wisely printed on a sturdy semi-gloss stock have withstood the test of time amazingly well, a few pencil marks showing that this guide was utilized as intended at one point. Even the staple stitching shows little rust, rare for any paper guide @ 90+ years of age.] 

Condition: Used Good. 
Nature / Outdoors. 
Harold C. Bryant & Wallace W. Atwood, Jr. 
U.S. Department of the Interior / NPS, 1932. 
Softcover Booklet, 66 pgs, 5.75 x 9.25" / 5 oz