Digital Collections

The digital collections of the Library of Congress contain a wide variety of primary source materials associated with the creation of Yellowstone National Park, including manuscripts, newspaper articles, government documents, and maps. Provided below is a link to the home page for each relevant digital collection along with selected highlights.

The Evolution of the Conservation Movement

The Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850-1920
This collection documents the historical formation and cultural foundations of the movement to conserve and protect America's natural heritage, through books, pamphlets, government documents, manuscripts, prints, photographs, and motion picture footage drawn from the collections of the Library of Congress.

Selected highlights from this collection:

Congressional Publications

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
This collection consists of published congressional records of the United States of America from 1774 to 1875.

Selected highlights from this collection:

December 8, 1871
S.392, "A Bill to set apart a certain tract of land lying near the Head-waters of the Yellowstone River as a public park," was introduced in the Senate.
January 30, 1872
The Senate debated, amended, and passed S. 392.
February 27, 1872
The House of Representatives debated and passed S. 392 by a vote of 115 to 65.
March 1, 1872
U.S. Statutes at Large, Vol. 17, Chap. 24, pp. 32-33. "An Act to set apart a certain Tract of Land lying near the Head-waters of the Yellowstone River as a public Park."

Historic Newspapers

Chronicling America
Historic American newspapers selected and contributed by state partners in the National Digital Newspaper Program.

Selected highlights from this collection:

In addition, the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room has created a series of topics guides to the newspapers included in Chronicling America, including a guide on the Yellowstone National Park.

Maps

Mapping the National Parks
This collection documents the history, cultural aspects and geological formations of areas that eventually became National Parks. The collection consists of approximately 200 maps dating from the 17th century to the present, including 25 maps of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone, the First National Park

Today in History

February 12, 1837
February 12 marks the birth of painter Thomas Moran (1837-1926).* His depictions of Western landscapes inspired Americans to conserve and cherish spectacular wilderness areas as part of their national heritage. In the summer of 1871, Moran joined the U.S. Geological Survey of the Territories. Headed by Ferdinand V. Hayden, this scientific exploration of lands along the Yellowstone River in northwestern Wyoming and southeastern Montana included a painter and a photographer.
April 5. 1916
Conservationists, civic leaders, and government officials submitted testimony before Congress in favor of the establishment of the National Park Service on April 5 and April 6, 1916.

Act Establishing Yellowstone National Park: Primary Documents in American History

History, Humanities & Social Sciences: Ask a Librarian

Digital Collections

The Evolution of the Conservation Movement

Selected highlights from this collection:

Congressional Publications

Selected highlights from this collection:

Historic Newspapers

Selected highlights from this collection:

Maps

Today in History