Not all National Park Service (NPS) history is in the NPS! There are many public, corporate, and private collections with objects or documents that relate to NPS history. The NPS History Collection staff created a list of NPS History Resources to help researchers find documents, photographs, and other materials in museum collections or archives. However, museums and archives aren't the only ones that care for NPS-related collections. Families of former NPS employees often treasure objects that tell both personal and institutional stories. Collectors sometimes acquire rare or unusual materials that reflect their love for national parks.
Some choose to donate objects to the NPS as families disperse or for other reasons. Many continue to admire and care for the objects themselves. Often they are willing to share information or photographs of them but don't want to let them go-and that's okay! Sometimes knowing about them is enough to help tell the story. No one should ever feel pressured into donating their objects to a museum or archive.
Collections are a great way to build community! We love it when our research leads us to new folks who love national parks and the NPS. Sometimes we learn about objects we didn't know existed. This article is about objects in personal collections that have been shared with NPS History Collection staff. If you would like to share something that speaks to NPS history in your personal or family collection, please contact the archivist.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service