Most National Park Junkies are resolute in the pursuit of photographing the treasured brown park signs – both with and without humans. At least I am. I’m sure I’m not alone. Right?
Did you know, though, there are over 70 nearly-identical Stephen Mather plaques spread throughout (and even beyond) the park system? Unlike the signs, however, that are easily found at entrances and exits, the Mather plaques, honoring the first Director of the National Park Service, are a bit more challenging to find. The 30”x 35” bronze or aluminum slabs may be located at a visitor’s center, on a bridge, at a trailhead, on a rock, in a picnic area, or overlooking a vista. The plaques can be indoors or outdoors. Some may not even be in the same place as you’ve seen them before since some have been moved due to floods, fires, renovations, etc. Sadly, some have been “lost,” and some have taken up residency in NPS storage rooms.
Stephen Tyng Mather spearheaded support for the National Park Service and helped in the creation of the organization in 1916. He was then appointed as the Director of the National Park Service and served from 1917 to 1929. Mather, who struggled with depression, knew the healing powers provided by nature and worked to encourage people to not only visit our national parks, but to also take ownership in protecting them.
The first Mather plaques were dedicated two years after his death in 1930. Bryant Baker, a British-American sculptor and artist, was paid $1,000 for his design which profiles Mather looking toward trees with a mountainous background. Though the 70-plus plaques look the same, generations of different castings make them slightly different. All contain the same inscription: He laid the foundation of the National Park Service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved unimpaired for future generations. There will never come an end to the good that he has done.
(location: Grand Teton National Park)
Let the plaques serve as reminders that the parks are to be preserved and protected. Remind yourself that the parks belong to us, and we have a duty to use them, cherish them, and keep them unimpaired for future generations! Mather wanted Americans to be stewards of the parks, and he wanted us to be a collective voice for their conservation. If we honor him and his vision, then there will never come an end to the good that he has done.
So, on your future visits to National Park Service Units, look for those Mather plaques. Certainly, snap your photos of those cherished brown signs, but search to get photos of the less-obvious Mather tributes, too!
Final Fascinating Facts:
Mather plaques are located within national parks, historical parks, monuments, memorials, administrative offices, World Heritage Sites, state parks, city parks, etc. However, there is also one located inside the Stephen T. Mather High School in my home city, Chicago, Illinois. Go, Mather Rangers!
(internet photo)
Sources:
NPSHistory.com
NPS.gov