California University of Pennsylvania
Eberly College of Science & Technology
Department of Earth Sciences
Parks & Recreation Management Program

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America's Best Idea

National Parks: America's Best Idea

A 12-hour, six-part documentary series by Ken Burns
Rebroadcast on PBS Wednesdays, January 27 - March  @ 9-11PM
Seen locally on Public Television Channel 13.1, WQED, Pittsburgh
For more info about the series Click HERE

 

The National Parks: America's Best Idea

 

History of the Parks (1851-1980)
Park Timeline

  1. "Scriptures of Nature (1851-1890)" Sun, Sept. 27 @ 8PM
    Featured National Parks: (click on the park name to visit the park website)
    Hawaii Volcanoes
    Denali
    Yellowstone
    Sequoia
    Petrified Forest
    Statue of Liberty
    Yosemite
    Mount Rainier
    General Grant (later renamed Kings Canyon)
    Civil War Battlefields (then choose "by Topics" and "Civil War" and select area of interest from list)

  2. "The Last Refuge (1890-1915)" Mon, Sept. 28 @ 8PM
    Featured National Parks: (click on the park name to visit the park website)
    Mesa Verde
    Chaco Culture
    Devils Tower
    El Morro
    Grand Canyon

  3. "The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919)" Tues, Sept. 29 @ 8PM
    Featured National Parks: (click on the park name to visit the park website)
    Hawaii Volcanoes
    Mt McKinley (later renamed Denali)
    Wind Cave
    Rocky Mountain
    Glacier
    Acadia
    Zion
    Great Basin
    Bryce Canyon

  4. " Going Home (1920-1933)" Wed, Sept. 30 @ 8PM
    Featured National Parks: (click on the park name to visit the park website)
    Lassen Volcanic
    Hot Springs
    Great Smoky Mountains
    Grand Teton

  5. "Great Nature (1933-1945)" Thurs, Oct. 1 @ 8PM
    Featured National Parks: (click on the park name to visit the park website)
    Yorktown
    Antietam
    Castillo de San Marcos
    Appomattox Court House
    Mount Rushmore
    Lincoln Memorial
    Everglades
    Big Bend
    Death Valley
    Carlsbad Caverns

  6. "The Morning of Creation (1946-1980)" Fri. Oct. 2 @ 8PM
    Featured National Parks: (click on the park name to visit the park website)
    Olympic
    Isle Royale
    Biscayne
    Dinosaur
    Redwood
    Guadalupe Mountains
    North Cascades
    National Seashores
    National Lakeshores
    All Alaska parks
    Little Rock Central High
    Andersonville
    Vietnam Veterans
    Sand Creek
    Manzanar
    Flight 93

National Parks: America's Best Idea Series Companion Web Site
Topics:
History of the National Parks
Park Timeline
Park Heroes: People Who Made a Difference
Park Profiles of National Parks featured in the series

Dr. John Confer
Office: EBE 265 2nd floor, Eberly Sciences & Technology Center
California University of Pennsylvania
Fall 2010 Office Hours:
  MWF @ 2-3PM & MW @ 5:15-6:15PM
  or by appointment (E-mail for appointment)
Phone: (724) 938-4211
E-mail:
confer@calu.edu
Dr. Confer's Home Page: http://workforce.calu.edu/confer/