NPS Family Tree MENU Contents Foreword Introduction Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Part VII Acknowledgements Abbreviations		Family Tree of the National Park System Part VI part VI GROWTH OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM, 1964-1972 CULTURAL AREAS, 1966-1972 Through the generosity of an imaginative benefactress, a new type of area was added to the National Park System in 1966. The benefactress was Mrs. Catherine Filene Shouse and the area was her estate, Wolf Trap Farm, in the Virginia hills of Fairfax County, half an hour from Washington, D. C. Mrs. Shouse donated Wolf Trap Farm, containing 117 acres, to the United States in order that it might be preserved as a center for the performing arts in the National Capital area. Congress authorized establishment of the area on October 15, 1966. A handsome auditorium named Filene Center has been built in a ten-acre clearing. It seats some 3,500 spectators and there is room for 3,000 more on adjoining lawns. During the summer of 1971 a 10-week inaugural season of concerts, opera, and ballet was launched at Wolf Trap Farm, with the aid of a private foundation. The summer's performances were widely applauded. Perhaps more importantly, initial steps were taken to form the Wolf Trap Company from some 60 young people selected in nationwide auditions. In cooperation with American University, Wolf Trap also gave credit courses in the performing arts to some 800 high school and college students during the summer of 1971. Because it has been an exceptional success, Wolf Trap Farm is looked upon by the National Park Service as a possible prototype for a new type of unit in the System — a cultural park. Of course every unit in the System — natural, historical, or recreational — is also cultural. Nevertheless, the Service has become keenly aware of certain currents in contemporary American life that suggest a strong desire among the American people to observe and participate in a wide range of cultural activities, from the revival of folk arts to the enjoyment of the performing arts.
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