Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and Others at Yosemite National Park
ca. 1903
Add to Favorites:
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
In the mid to late 19th century, natural resources in America were heavily exploited. Many Americans believed the natural resources in the United States were inexhaustible. But, conservationists called for more Federal supervision and preservation of the resources for future generations. Conservationists found an ally in President Theodore Roosevelt.
Roosevelt was deeply influenced by American naturalist John Muir and Gifford Pinchot, Chief of Forestry. Roosevelt considered the conservation and preservation efforts of his administration to be among his greatest achievements. The conservation legacy of President Roosevelt can be found in 230 million acres of public lands protected during his term.
This photograph was taken at the base of the Grizzly Giant tree in Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite in 1903. The land on which President Roosevelt stood in the photograph was then Federal land. The Yosemite Grant was created by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln in June 1864. For the first time under the Yosemite Grant, land was set aside specifically for preservation and public use by the United States Federal Government.
Roosevelt was deeply influenced by American naturalist John Muir and Gifford Pinchot, Chief of Forestry. Roosevelt considered the conservation and preservation efforts of his administration to be among his greatest achievements. The conservation legacy of President Roosevelt can be found in 230 million acres of public lands protected during his term.
This photograph was taken at the base of the Grizzly Giant tree in Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite in 1903. The land on which President Roosevelt stood in the photograph was then Federal land. The Yosemite Grant was created by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln in June 1864. For the first time under the Yosemite Grant, land was set aside specifically for preservation and public use by the United States Federal Government.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Forest Service.
National Archives Identifier: 7000951
Full Citation: Photograph 95-GP-7-517195; Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and Others in a Sequoia Grove, Yosemite National Park; ca. 1903; Photographs Relating to National Forests, Resource Management Practices, Personnel, and Cultural and Economic History, ca. 1897 - ca. 1980; Records of the Forest Service, Record Group 95; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/roosevelt-muir-yosemite, December 13, 2024]Activities that use this document
- Theodore Roosevelt: Conservationist President
Created by the National Archives Education Team
Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.