Stop 2: Mather Plaque
In the early 1900s, the need to operate and protect parks was clear, but just who should take responsibility was unclear. Stephen T. Mather was an avid outdoorsman, conservationist, born marketer, and millionaire industrialist with connections in Washington, DC. In 1914 Mather began to campaign for the creation of a park management bureau. When President Woodrow Wilson approved the National Park Act in 1916, the National Park Service was born.

Mather was appointed the agency’s first director.Stephen T. Mather was one of the first and best advocates of the National Park System. He wanted to not only protect the lands but promote them. He recognized that every visitor was a potential steward. Mather died in 1930 and is posthumously honored by these bronze markers bearing his image.