Rightful Heritage: The Renewal of America
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Chairman Leão Velloso spoke eloquently about Roosevelt’s courage and audacity in the face of adversity: “Much has been said, and it is certain much more will be said through the ages, of Franklin Roosevelt, but never enough will be said.”25 More than any other country, Brazil would go on to emulate the restoration example of the New Deal, initiating a one-billion-tree planting program to revitalize the Amazon forest.26
Likewise, Field Marshal Jan Christian Smuts, prime minister of the Union of South Africa, spoke about how Roosevelt drew strength from the natural world. “Here among the great redwoods, this great man will find fitting and congenial company,” Smuts said as a plaque was laid next to an ancient tree. “Here, henceforth, will be the company of the giants.”27
The final eulogy was that of Edward Stettinius, who had telephoned Pinchot shortly after Roosevelt’s death in an attempt to extinguish any hard feelings. “Stettinius called about 4:30 to talk about proposed World Conference,” Pinchot wrote in his diary on April 19. “He is for it on basis of conservation and said repeatedly he was heartily for it as a step toward permanent peace. That is a great surprise and a great satisfaction.”28
At Cathedral Grove, surrounded by the UN delegates, looking around him at the old-growth trees, and sunbeams dancing down on the forest floor, Stettinius spoke from the heart. “I often heard him talk of the trees he planted and grew at Hyde Park,” he said of FDR. “He rests for all time in hallowed grounds surrounded by these and older trees that held for him such cherished memories.” Then Stettinius, pointing around him at the trees encircling them, connected Roosevelt to the sublime Cathedral Grove, and to the ebb and flow of American history. “These great redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument are the most enduring of all trees,” he said. “Many of them stood here centuries before Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. They will be here centuries after every man now living is dead. They are as timeless and as strong as the ideals and faith of Franklin D. Roosevelt.”29
Fifty years later, on May 19, 1995, the United Nations and the National Park Service gathered at Cathedral Grove to observe the fiftieth anniversary of the memorial service and the legacy of the United Nations. The following year, on July 8, 1996, an eight-hundred-year-old redwood tree crashed down in Cathedral Grove next to the plaque honoring FDR. Many visitors wondered why the debris from the two-hundred-foot giant wasn’t removed; it was obstructing the Roosevelt memorial. The official National Park Service response spoke legions about the conservation ideals that FDR had imprinted on the nation: “The tree, which toppled gracefully up-slope, caused no damage and required no cleanup. The tree will remain where it fell, providing nutrients to the soil, nesting for birds, bedding for plants, and water for everything.”30
Roosevelt would have been proud.
APPENDIX A
NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM AREAS AFFECTED UNDER THE REORGANIZATION OF AUGUST 10, 1933
According to the Annual Report of the Department of the Interior, 1933 (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1933), Franklin D. Roosevelt’s June 10, 1933, executive order gave the National Park Service jurisdiction over all the Civil War battlefields; all of the national monuments; most of America’s national cemeteries; both the Fine Arts Commission and the National Capital Park and Planning Commission; and all parks, monuments, and public buildings in the District of Columbia. The Reorganization went into effect on August 10, 1933.
NUMBER
PARK, STATE
DATE, DESCRIPTION
1
National Capital Parks/National Mall and Memorial Parks, DC
Originated as Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations in the Department of Interior on August 10, 1933, under Executive Order 6166, transferring functions of Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital. Name changed to National Park Service on March 2, 1934. “National Capital Parks” first used in DC appropriation act of June 4, 1934; “National Capital Parks (Central)”; name changed to “National Mall and Memorial Parks” in April 2005, Reorganization on August 10, 1933.
2
Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site, DC
Redesignated Lincoln Museum on February 12, 1932; transferred from Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital August 10, 1933, as Lincoln Museum; redesignated Ford’s Theatre, on April 14, 1965; combined with House Where Lincoln Died (also transferred on August 10, 1933) on June 23, 1970, as Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site.
3
Lincoln Memorial, DC
Transferred from Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital on August 10, 1933 (authorized on February 9, 1911; dedicated in 1922).
4
Washington Monument, DC
Transferred from Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital on August 10, 1933 (accepted on August 2, 1876; dedicated 1885).
5
White House, DC
Transferred from Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital on August 10, 1933.
6
George Washington Memorial Parkway, VA–DC
Transferred from Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital on August 10, 1933 (established on May 29, 1930).
7
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, GA and TN
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (established on August 19, 1890).
8
Fort Donelson National Battlefield, TN
Established as National Military Park on March 26, 1928; transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; redesignated National Battlefield on August 9, 1985.
9
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields Memorial National Military Park, VA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (established on February 14, 1927).
10
Gettysburg National Military Park, PA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (established on February 11, 1895).
11
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, NC
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (established on March 2, 1917).
12
Kings Mountain National Military Park, SC
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (established on March 3, 1931).
13
Moores Creek National Battlefield, NC
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933, as National Military Park (established on June 2, 1926); redesignated on September 8, 1980.
14
Petersburg National Battlefield, VA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 as National Military Park (established on July 3, 1926); redesignated as National Battlefield on August 24, 1962.
15
Shiloh National Military Park, TN
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (established on December 27, 1894.
16
Stones River National Battlefield, TN
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933, as National Military Park (established on March 3, 1927); redesignated as National Battlefield on April 22, 1960.
17
Vicksburg National Military Park, MS
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (established on February 21, 1899).
18
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site, KY
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933, as National Park; established on July 17, 1916, as National Park; redesignated National Historical Park on August 11, 1939; redesignated on September 8, 1959.
19
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, MD
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933, as National Park (authorized on March 3, 1925); redesignated on August 11, 1939.
20
Antietam National Battlefield, MD
Transferred from
War Department as National Battlefield Site on August 10, 1933 (established on August 30, 1890, as Antietam National Battlefield Site); redesignated on November 10, 1978.
21
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, VA
Transferred from War Department as Appomattox Battlefield Site on August 10, 1933 (authorized on June 18, 1930); changed to Appomattox Court House National Historical Monument on August 13, 1935; redesignated National Historical Park on April 15, 1954.
22
Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site, MS
Transferred from War Department as National Battlefield Site on August 10, 1933 (established on February 21, 1929).
23
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, LA
Transferred from War Department as Chalmette Monument and Grounds on August 10, 1933 (established on March 4, 1907); changed to National Historical Park in 1939; Chalmette absorbed into Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve November 10, 1978.
24
Cowpens National Battlefield, SC
Transferred from War Department as National Battlefield Site on August 10, 1933 (established March 4, 1929); redesignated as National Battlefield on April 11, 1972.
25
Fort Necessity National Battlefield, PA
Transferred from War Department as National Battlefield Site on August 10, 1933 (established on March 4, 1931); redesignated as National Battlefield on August 10, 1961.
26
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, GA
Transferred from War Department as National Battlefield Site on August 10, 1933; authorized on February 18, 1917, as National Battlefield Site; redesignated National Battlefield Park on June 26, 1935.
27
Tupelo National Battlefield, MS
Transferred from War Department as National Battlefield Site on August 10, 1933 (established on February 21, 1929); changed to National Battlefield on August 10, 1961.
28
White Plains National Battlefield, NY
Transferred from War Department as Battlefield Site on August 10, 1933; removed from NPS on May 20, 1956.
29
Big Hole National Battlefield, MT
Transferred from War Department as National Monument on August 10, 1933 (established as Big Hole Battlefield National Monument on June 23, 1910); changed to Big Hole National Battlefield on May 17, 1963.
30
Cabrillo National Monument, CA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed on October 14, 1913).
31
Castle Pinckney National Monument, NY
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; abolished on March 29, 1956.
32
Father Millet Cross National Monument, NY
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; turned over to state on September 7, 1949.
33
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, FL
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933, as Fort Marion National Monument (proclaimed on October 15, 1924); redesignated on June 5, 1942.
34
Fort Matanzas National Monument, FL
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed on October 15, 1924).
35
Fort Pulaski National Monument, GA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed on October 15, 1924).
36
Meriwether Lewis National Monument, TN
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; absorbed by Natchez Trace Parkway, TN, AL, MS, on September 10, 1961.
37
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, OH
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933, as Mound City Group National Monument; incorporated in Hopewell Culture National Historical Park on May 27, 1992.
38
Statue of Liberty National Monument, NY
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933 (accepted on March 3, 1877; dedicated in 1886; designated a National Monument on October 15, 1924.
39
Wright Brothers National Memorial, NC
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933, as Kill Devil Hill Monument National Memorial (authorized on March 2, 1927); redesignated on December 1, 1953.
40
New Echota Marker National Memorial, GA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933—not activated by the NPS.
41
Arlington House, VA (the Robert E. Lee Memorial)
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933, as Custis-Lee Mansion (authorized on March 4, 1925); redesignated on June 30, 1972.
42
Battleground National Cemetery, DC
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; unit of NCP.
43
Antietam National Cemetery, MD
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; deleted as separate area in 1974; is part of its park.
44
Vicksburg National Cemetery, MS
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; deleted as separate area in 1974; is part of its park.
45
Gettysburg National Cemetery, PA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; deleted as separate area in 1974; is part of its park.
46
Chattanooga National Cemetery, TN
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; deleted as separate area in 1974; is part of its park.
47
Fort Donelson National Cemetery, TN
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; deleted as separate area in 1974; is part of its park.
48
Shiloh National Cemetery, TN
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; deleted as separate area in 1974; is part of its park.
49
Fredericksburg National Cemetery, VA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; deleted as separate area in 1974; is part of its park.
50
Poplar Grove National Cemetery, VA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; deleted as separate area in 1974; is part of Petersburg National Military Park, VA.
51
Yorktown National Cemetery, VA
Transferred from War Department on August 10, 1933; deleted as separate area in 1974; is part of Colonial National Historical Park, VA.
52
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, NM
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed on November 16, 1907).
53
Tonto National Monument, AZ
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933; (proclaimed on December 19, 1907).
54
Jewel Cave National Monument, SD
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933; (proclaimed on February 7, 1908).
55
Oregon Caves National Monument, OR
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933; (proclaimed on July 12, 1909).
56
Devils Postpile National Monument, CA
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933; (proclaimed on July 6, 1911).
57
Walnut Canyon National Monument, AZ
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933; (proclaimed on November 30, 1915).
58
Great Basin National Park, NV
Transferred from Forest Service on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed as Lehman Caves National Monument on January 24, 1922); incorporated into Great Basin National Park on October 27, 1986.
59
Timpanogos Cave National Monument, UT
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed on October 14, 1922).
60
Chiricahua National Monum
ent, AZ
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed on April 18, 1924).
61
Lava Beds National Monument, CA
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed on November 21, 1925).
62
Olympic National Park, WA
Transferred on August 10, 1933, from Forest Service as Mount Olympus National Monument (proclaimed on March 2, 1909, as National Monument); redesignated as National Park on June 29, 1938.
63
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, AZ
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed on May 26, 1930, as Sunset Crater National Monument); redesignated on November 16, 1990.
64
Saguaro National Park, AZ
Transferred from Forest Service, USDA, on August 10, 1933 (proclaimed on March 1, 1933); redesignated as National Monument to National Park October 14, 1994.
APPENDIX B
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES ESTABLISHED UNDER FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, 1933–1945
I compiled this list from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Directory: National Wildlife Refuges (1960); from Annual Report of Lands Under Control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2012); and with the help of USFWS historian Dr. Mark Madison. The acreages listed below are the most current estimates available for each refuge unless otherwise noted. After World War II, some of Roosevelt’s refuges changed names or turned into state parks. But this listing is how the system looked in 1945.