Research and Education
in the National Parks

National Park Service Research and Education in the National Parks

PART I
THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN THE NATIONAL PARKS

YELLOWSTONE

The greatest activity in museum construction in the national parks has been centered in Yellowstone, where under the general supervision of Dr. Hermon C. Bumpus, president of the Association of American Museums, four trail-side museums and a trail-side shrine have been completed.

The Old Faithful Museum was opened to the public in June, 1929. Near the entrance is located the information desk, presided over by a ranger naturalist ready to answer questions. Leading from the foyer is the museum room proper, in which exhibits are devoted to geyser activities, the geology and physical geography of the geyser basin, and the local fauna and flora. The visitor is invited to sit down, use microscopes, handle and study specimens. An inclosed area open to the sky forms a delightful auditorium, affording additional exhibit space and an excellent location for a wild-flower garden. Evening lectures are given here, and in the event of rain the audience finds shelter in the covered passageway which surrounds the open-air theater.

The trail-side museum at Madison Junction, which is located near the spot where the Washburn-Langford exploring party of 1870 proposed the establishment of the Yellowstone area as a national park, specializes in the human history of the park. There the information dealing with the history of Yellowstone is furnished by means of charts, maps, transparencies, photographs, and other source materials.

The Norris Museum is located close to the famous geyser basin of that name, easily one of the most interesting features of the park. Twelve miles to the northwest can be seen the Gallatin Mountains, and close at hand the colorful steaming geyser basin. The building is architecturally beautiful. The information desk occupies a central position, and near it are some large rock specimens. On one side an exhibit room contains a series of small realistic groups with transparent backgrounds showing the fauna and flora which the visitor has encountered on the trip from Mammoth to Norris, or anticipates what will be seen on the next section of the loop. The opposite wing contains material designed to explain thermic activity of the area. Charts picture the geologic history of the region. One may learn of rock composition and formation. In fact, a short course in petrology is available. A relief model on the wall at the end of the wing is always a center of attraction.

FIGURE 18.—A front view of the Fishing Bridge Museum, Yellowstone National Park. Pleasing architectural lines and careful landscaping make this building one of the most attractive of the entire park system.

The fourth Yellowstone museum is at the Fishing Bridge auto camp grounds. Superbly located on a slight elevation overlooking Lake Yellowstone, this rustic little museum takes its place among the most attractive buildings in the park system. (See fig. 18.) The planning of this building, as well as the ones at Norris and Yavapai (Grand Canyon), is the work of Herbert Maier. The exhibits depict the bird life of this locality and the interesting geology of the Yellowstone Lake region. Installations are unique in character and add greatly to the series of educational exhibits in Yellowstone museums. In addition to mounted specimens of the diving birds, there are diagrams and explanations of the anatomy which makes these birds excellent divers. Flight mechanism is explained as a "related-story" exhibit of the pelican group. Relief maps and diagrams with simple text, prepared by Dr. Erwin J. Raisz, of Columbia University, make clear the geologic story of the region. A reference library will be an additional feature. The Fishing Bridge Museum is considered a model of what a trail-side museum should be, both in architecture and installation.

In the woods close by the museum is an attractive outdoor lecture amphitheater. It is equipped for illustrated talks as well as camp fire demonstrations. (See fig. 19.) Every evening large crowds assemble around the fire to hear the ranger naturalist give his in formal presentation.

FIGURE 19.—The attractive outdoor amphitheater at Fishing Bridge Museum, Yellowstone National Park. Crowds attend the evening lectures given here regularly throughout the summer season. A special booth containing a lantern slide projector has been constructed, and illustrated talks are now regular features of these outdoor programs.

The trail-side shrine erected at Obsidian Cliff describes and makes understandable this formation. Built of columnar basalt, this unique structure presents a pleasing appearance, and by chart and specimen tells the story of volcanic glass. (See fig 20.)

FIGURE 20.—The small trail-side shrine at Obsidian Cliff, Yellowstone National Park. This little structure shelters several very interesting exhibits which explain the origin of obsidian and tell the story of bow the rock contributed to the making of fighting implements for the Indians.

To complete the educational unit, there are contemplated a small museum at Canyon and a larger master museum at Mammoth. The plan envisages a suitable headquarters plant at Mammoth which will provide facilities for the educational staff and exhibits dealing not only with the immediate region but those acting as an index to all of the other museums comprising the unit. This master museum is to occupy a commanding position comparable to the importance of its service to the public. Years of collecting have made available fine materials already on exhibition in the temporary museum. Dr. Carl P. Russell, field naturalist, has supervised the installation of exhibits and general museum activities.

Thus it can be seen that splendid progress has been made in Yellowstone toward the goal of a "complete educational unit, fully serving the needs of the public."

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Last Modified: Sat, Feb 16 2002 10:00:00 pm PDT
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