Archeology in the National Park Service 1916-2016

In 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) celebrates two anniversaries: one hundred years of managing archeological resources for the public's benefit and 50 years of the Southeast Archeological Center. As we look to the next century, the history of NPS archeology is something to celebrate for its contributions to the nation and to the world. Archeology was a primary motivator for preserving lands under federal management and it continues to drive cultural resources work as well as interpretation and education. It underlies the most significant issues facing the NPS today and into the future: climate change, relevance to all peoples, population shifts to urban areas, economic benefits of parks, the importance of grants, and site evaluation programs to communities nationwide. Presenters in this session will present on a range of topics looking to the past and to the future of NPS archeology.