• Aerial View of Washington, D.C.
    Robert L. Knudsen
    Washington, D.C.
    Washington Monument
    National Mall
    National Park
    This photograph taken on April 21, 1962 by Robert L. Knudsen depicts aerial views of Washington, D. C., showing parts of the city during the John F. Kennedy administration. At the time, Washington Monument was separated from the Lincoln Memorial by the “tempos” —temporary buildings—erected during World War II. The foreground features the Smithsonian Institution's Castle, Arts and Industries Building, National Museum of Natural History, and the construction site of the Museum of History and Technology, which was renamed the National Museum of American History in 1980.
  • Aerial View of Washington, D.C.
    Robert L. Knudsen
    Washington, D.C.
    National Mall
    National Park
    This photograph taken on April 21, 1962, by Robert L. Knudsen depicts aerial views of Washington, D. C. showing parts of the city during the John F. Kennedy administration. The White House is visible toward the upper right corner of the picture. The foreground features the Smithsonian Institution's Castle, Arts and Industries Building, National Museum of Natural History, and the construction site of the Museum of History and Technology, which was renamed the National Museum of American History in 1980.
  • Yosemite, Bridal Veil Falls
    Thomas Hill
    landscapes
    painting
    California
    National Parks
    This landscape is by painter Thomas Hill, who was among a group of artists known for their images of the unexplored western frontier. The painting is of Bridalveil Fall (referred to by Hill as Bridal Veil Falls), a waterfall in what is now Yosemite National Park in California. Despite the painting's title the landscape is expansive, with Bridalveil Fall far-off in the distance. In the foreground is a riverbank that leads to a small creek, likely Bridalveil Creek, where the waterfall runs to. A fisherman stands at center, casting a line. Born in Britain, Hill's family emigrated to the United States when he was in his teens. Hill moved to San Francisco later in life and is known for vivid paintings of California such as this one. Three of Hill's Yosemite paintings are in the White House Collection.
  • The Three Tetons
    Thomas Moran
    Wyoming
    National Park
    landscapes
    painting
    This oil painting by Thomas Moran is of the Three Tetons, which are located in Wyoming. The foreground of the painting is full of dark greens and blues depicting evergreen trees and a quiet lake, while the brightly lit Tetons hover above in the upper half of the canvas. The area was established as Grand Teton National Park in 1929. Although born in Britain, Moran is considered an important American artist for his paintings of the western wilderness, especially Yosemite Valley. Three of Moran's western landscapes are in the White House Collection.
  • President Coolidge at Dedication of Mount Rushmore National Memorial
    Charles D'Emery
    travel
    South Dakota
    Mount Rushmore National Memorial
    National Park
    Presidential Visit
    This photograph of President Calvin Coolidge speaking during the dedication of the start of work on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was taken on August 10, 1927. In the summer of 1927, Coolidge was vacationing at the State Game Lodge in the Black Hills of South Dakota, when he accepted the invitation to speak by sculptor Gutzon Borglum. Here, Coolidge is pictured in a pair of cowboy boots. Coolidge's dedication bestowed national legitimacy on the project, which took place from October 1927 until October 1941.
  • Herbert and Lou Hoover Relax at Rapidan Camp
    Unknown
    leisure
    Virginia
    National Park
    In this photograph, President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover relax on the porch of their cabin at Rapidan Camp. In the summer of 1929, President Hoover purchased and developed a 164-acre campsite in Madison County, Virginia, so that it could serve as a presidential country retreat by trout season the following spring. The camp included 13 cabins designed by James Yardley Rippin, a friend of the Hoovers, who also had also designed cabins for the Girl Scouts. The cabin where the Hoovers resided was called the Brown House, in contrast to their more famous abode in Washington, D.C., and featured a simple yet spacious 60-foot-long central living space. President Hoover donated Rapidan Camp to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1932 as a country retreat for future presidents. However, Hoover's polio-stricken successor President Franklin D. Roosevelt had difficulty navigating the demanding terrain, and established his own country retreat, which later became the preferred presidential retreat Camp David. Rapidan Camp and its surrounding woodlands were integrated into Shendanoah National Park when it was formally established on December 26, 1935. Under the management of the National Park Service, the Brown House was refurnished to its 1929 appearance, and made accessible to the public through guided tours.
  • National Park Service Chief Photographer George A. Grant
    Joseph Mader
    national parks
    This is a photograph of National Park Service (NPS) chief photographer George Alexander Grant. Grant, the first person to hold the position of chief NPS photographer, is captured on horseback with his camera equipment at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park on August 4, 1933. Grant spearheaded the selection of ten photographs of national parks that were engraved and featured in the 1934 commemorative stamp collection celebrating National Park Year.
  • One-Cent Yosemite National Park Stamp
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    stamps
    national parks
    This is a one-cent Yosemite National Park stamp, which went on sale July 16, 1934. It was one in series of ten stamps created to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers. The green engraving on the stamp was taken from a photo of Yosemite National Park. On the first day of sale, 250,000 stamps were sold in the park and another 258,000 were sold in Washington D.C. The commemorative series was a part of the celebration of National Park Year.
  • Eight-Cent Zion National Park Stamp
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    landscape
    stamps
    national parks
    This is an eight-cent stamp featuring a green engraving of the Great White Throne in Zion National Park. The stamp was issued September 18, 1934 and was one in series of ten designed to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers during National Park Year. The engraving was made from a photograph by George Alexander Grant, the first chief photographer for the National Park Service.
  • Six-Cent Crater Lake Stamp
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    landscape
    stamps
    national parks
    This is a six-cent stamp featuring a dark blue engraving of Crater Lake National Park. The park's namesake is a majestic deep blue lake created by volcanic eruption over seven thousand years ago. The stamp was issued September 5, 1934 and was one in series of ten designed to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers during National Park Year. The engraving was made from a photograph by George Alexander Grant, the first chief photographer for the National Park Service.
  • Ten-Cent Stamp of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    landscape
    stamps
    national parks
    This is a ten-cent stamp featuring a black engraving of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The stamp was issued October 8, 1934 and was one in series of ten commemorative stamps designed to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers during National Park Year. The engraving was made from a photograph by Thompson Company, most likely the Thompson Brothers. It was designed by Esther Richards, the first woman to design a U.S. postage stamp.
  • Five-Cent Stamp of Old Faithful
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    stamps
    national parks
    This is a five-cent stamp featuring a blue engraving of Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. It was issued on July 30, 1934, one in a series of ten commemorative stamps designed to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers during National Park Year. Established in 1872, Yellowstone was the world’s first national park and is noted for its wildlife, geysers, hot springs, and waterfalls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The engraving was taken from a photograph by Jack Ellis Haynes, often referred to as J. E. Haynes.
  • Two-Cent Grand Canyon Stamp
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    stamps
    national parks
    This is a stamp featuring an orange-red engraving of one of the most iconic landmarks in the National Park Service and the United States, the Grand Canyon. It was one in a series of ten stamps created to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an avid stamp collector, selected the orange-red color for the stamp. The engraving was drawn from a photo taken by National Park Service chief photographer George Grant, the first person to hold that position. The stamp was part of a commemorative series in celebration of National Park Year.
  • Seven-Cent Acadia National Park Stamp
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    landscape
    stamps
    national parks
    This is a seven-cent stamp featuring a black engraving of Acadia National Park. The park boasts the highest mountian on the East Coast, a variety of wildlife, and rocky beaches. The stamp was issued July 30, 1934 and was one in a series of ten commemorative stamps designed to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers during National Park Year. The engraving was made from a photograph by H. L. Bradley.
  • Four-Cent Stamp of Cliff Palace
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    stamps
    national parks
    This is a four-cent stamp with a brown engraving of Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park. The stamp was issued September 25, 1934, one in a commemorative series of ten designed to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers during National Park Year. The engraving was made from a photograph by National Park Service chief photographer George Grant, the first person to hold the position.
  • Three-Cent Stamp of Mount Rainer and Mirror Lakes 
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    stamps
    national parks
    This is a three-cent stamp with a violet engraving of Mount Rainier National Park with the Mirror Lakes in the foreground. The stamp was issued August 3, 1934 and was one in a commemorative series of ten designed to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers during National Park Year. Mount Rainer National Park became the fifth national park on March 2, 1889. In addition to its namesake Mount Rainer, a 14,410 ft. volcano, the park boasts reflection lakes, meadows, and glaciers. The engraving was made from a photograph by Asahel Curtis.
  • Nine-Cent Stamp of Two Medicine Lake
    United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing
    landscape
    stamps
    national parks
    This is a nine-cent stamp featuring an orange engraving of Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park. The stamp was issued August 27, 1934 and was one in series of ten commemorative stamps designed to promote the national parks and boost visitor numbers during National Park Year. The engraving was made from a photograph by George Alexander Grant, the first chief photographer for the National Park Service.
  • President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks at the dedication of the Smoky Mountain National Park 
    Unknown
    national parks
    This is a photograph of President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaking at the dedication of the Smoky Mountain National Park on September 2, 1940. In his speech Roosevelt conveyed necessity of the national parks by stating "In this Park we shall conserve these trees . . . for the happiness of the American people. The old frontier that put the hard fibre in the American spirit and the long muscles on the American back, lives and will live in these untamed mountains to give to the future generations a sense of the land from which their forefathers hewed their homes." Roosevelt also supported the national parks by supporting the commemorative stamp series during National Park Year in 1934, urging the public to visit, and adding new parks into the system.
  • Old Faithful
    Albert Bierstadt
    painting
    landscapes
    National Park
    Hudson River School
    Wyoming
    This painting of the geyser Old Faithful was done by Albert Bierstadt. It is believed this scene was painted from sketches made by Bierstadt following a visit to Yellowstone National Park in July 1881. President Ulysses S. Grant established the park on March 1, 1872 with the signing of the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act. This law made Yellowstone the world's first national park. Bierstadt was among the Hudson River School artists of the 19th century. Bierstadt was renowned for his depictions of the American West and documenting Westward Expansion in the late 19th century. There are six pieces by Bierstadt in the White House Collection.
  • President Harding's Voyage of Understanding, Yellowstone National Park, Side A
    Keystone View Company
    Wyoming
    Presidential Visits
    National Parks
    travel
    This stereograph by Keystone View Company shows President Warren G. Harding feeding a bear cub in Yellowstone National Park during his "Voyage of Understanding." The Voyage of Understanding was the name given to Harding's tour of the western United States and Alaska. Harding was the first sitting president to visit Alaska. The caption reads: "President Harding feeds "Max" the Bear in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo."
  • President Harding's Voyage of Understanding, Zion National Park, Utah, Side A
    Keystone View Company
    Utah
    Presidential Visits
    National Parks
    travel
    This stereograph by Keystone View Company shows President Warren G. Harding and members of his party horseback riding in Zion National Park during his "Voyage of Understanding." The Voyage of Understanding was the name given to Harding's tour of the western United States and Alaska. Harding was the first sitting president to visit Alaska. The caption reads: "Pres. Harding and Party Riding Horses into the Canyons of Zion National Park, Utah."
  • President Harding's Voyage of Understanding, Yellowstone National Park, Side A
    Keystone View Company
    Wyoming
    Presidential Visits
    National Parks
    travel
    This stereograph by Keystone View Company shows President Warren G. Harding and First Lady Florence Harding in a car with members of their party in Yellowstone National Park during Harding's "Voyage of Understanding." The Voyage of Understanding was the name given to Harding's tour of the western United States and Alaska. Harding was the first sitting president to visit Alaska. The caption reads: "President and Mrs. Harding in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo."
  • President Harding's Voyage of Understanding, Yellowstone National Park, Side A
    Keystone View Company
    Wyoming
    Presidential Visits
    National Parks
    travel
    This stereograph by Keystone View Company shows President Warren G. Harding and his personal secretary George Christian at Yellowstone National Park during the president’s “Voyage of Understanding” trip. The Voyage of Understanding was the name given to Harding's tour of the western United States and Alaska. Harding was the first sitting president to visit Alaska. The caption reads: "President Harding and Sec’y. Christian Watching Steam Hole, Yellowstone National Park.”
  • President Harding's Voyage of Understanding, Yellowstone National Park, Side A
    Keystone View Company
    Wyoming
    Presidential Visits
    National Parks
    travel
    This stereograph by Keystone View Company shows President Warren G. Harding looking over waterfalls at Inspiration Point in Yellowstone National Park during his "Voyage of Understanding." The Voyage of Understanding was the name given to Harding's tour of the western United States and Alaska. Harding was the first sitting president to visit Alaska. The caption reads: "President Harding at Inspiration Point, Yellowstone Falls, Wyo." There is text on the back of this card. See image number 1112047.
  • President Harding's Voyage of Understanding, Yellowstone National Park, Side A
    Keystone View Company
    Wyoming
    Presidential Visits
    National Parks
    travel
    This stereograph by Keystone View Company shows President Warren G. Harding, First Lady Florence Harding, and members of their party at Emerald Pool in Yellowstone National Park during Harding's "Voyage of Understanding." The Voyage of Understanding was the name given to Harding's tour of the western United States and Alaska. Harding was the first sitting president to visit Alaska. The caption reads: "President and Mrs. Harding at Emerald Pool, Yellowstone National Park."