PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Early Interpretive Efforts in National Monuments

By 1923 no definite program had yet evolved for the development of museums in national sites. Mather first experimented with establishing temporary museums in the parks considered most important (such as Yellowstone National Park) to test the popularity of such exhibits among visitors. The results exceeded expectations, both in positive public response and in private loans or gifts of materials for the exhibits. (As no money was available to purchase materials for exhibit, the only way they could be obtained at this time was through loan or donation.) In his annual report for 1923, Mather stated that little, if any, material for museums would have to be purchased with federal funds, "since experience has shown that public-spirited owners of important and valuable materials will gladly donate or lend it to the Government for such exposition." [641] In 1925, of the 18 national monuments in the Southwest, only the three monuments with a full-time paid custodian (Petrified Forest, Aztec Ruins, and Casa Grande) had museums. By 1929 three more monuments had added museums (Gran Quivira, Chaco Canyon, and Montezuma Castle.) Artifacts were usually displayed on open shelves or tables and were rarely labeled. Instead the usual custom was for the custodian to show the visitors about the site, explain any exhibits, and answer questions. At the time, this method of a personally conducted tour was considered far superior to exhibit labeling. [642]

During FY 1926 an educational division was created for the Park Service with its headquarters established at Berkeley, California. (The University of California had a history of cooperative work with national parks, as did the Sierra Club. [643] ) A ranger with field experience was assigned to work there, and put in charge of educational development throughout the system. In the field, park information was disseminated through guided tours, interpretive signage, lantern slides presentations, public lectures, and writings in magazines and books.