National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Cultural Resources Stewardship, 

Partnerships, and Science 

Junior Ranger

Activity Book

For ages 7 and up

Historic Preservation

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
This Junior Ranger Booklet was funded by the National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Program Office in 

Washington, D.C. It was produced by the 2015 “GOAL” (Generating Organizational Advancement and 

Leadership) Academy NHPA50 team as a part of a toolkit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Act. 

2015 National Historic Preservation Act Junior Ranger Book: An activity book for ages 7 and up.

Special thanks to: Dr. Stephanie Toothman, Associate Director for Cultural Resources, Partnerships and Science

Content and Edits: Katherine Birmingham, Kelly Clark, Jenifer Eggleston, Gavin Gardner, Rader Lane, AJ Lapre, Kimberly 

Robinson, and Jill Staurowsky.

Graphics, Layout, and Design: Rader Lane, AJ Lapre, Jill Staurowsky, and Joshua Wilks

Front Cover Photos (read left to right): 

Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial, Virginia; 

New Marigny Neighborhood, New Orleans, Louisiana; 

Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka, Alaska; 

Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde, Colorado

Alcatraz Gardens, San Francisco, California; and

Kaloko-Honōkohau National Historical Park, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. 

Understanding and appreciating our history is important for reflecting upon ourselves in 

the present day. This book aims to teach junior rangers basic concepts in historic 

preservation and the National Park Service’s programs that help support these causes

to commemorate the anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

The National Park Service was created in 1916 so that the United States Government 

could care for important and special places.

Every National Park Service site is special. It is important to understand some of the 

reasons why a place is preserved and how we can help protect these places today.

Mission: The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural 

resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and 

inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to 

extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor 

recreation throughout this country and the world.
How to earn your NHPA50 Junior Ranger Badge:

You will find 11 different activities on pages 3 through 16. How old are 

you? 

Ages 7-9: Complete 4 activities

Ages 10-12: Complete 7 activities

Ages 13 and up: Complete 10 activities 

When you have completed the activities, return your book to a 

park ranger. Be prepared to tell him or her about what you have 

learned and how you can make a difference in the future of the 

National Park System.

If you do not complete the book during your visit, find the address of the 

visitor center and mail the completed book to the site and they will mail you 

a badge.

1

In this book you can learn about the National 

Historic Preservation Act, complete fun activities, 

and explore ways you can help protect this 

nation’s cultural resources!

Do your best, have FUN, and thank you for completing the 

NHPA50 Junior Ranger Book!

Hello!!
2

Who does this book belong to? Draw your portrait in the 

frame and write your name on the line below!
Let’s see where this 

timeline takes us! 

3

Search for these key words that inspire us to 

preserve special places!

 X L J O T R Y R Y O C E E B Q 

S K H S N E E B O K J V Q H W 

N L W M A Y C M X N R O T I R 

D A X H C R U R E E O L L S D 

L R E D I R P F S M E H D T I 

P K T Z F G U E R G B R Z O V 

U H U O I E R O X U F E L R M 

O J Y P N P R I C P D J R Y F 

B U G N G M N E R U F Y E D E 

K Y H K I U V O D P E J O O X 

E G K C S X T O I A L Q F A N 

X G R L Y E L L I J R F G K C 

Y B H V C P S V X S S L Q H U 

U F A T U N M O N U M E N T B 

I D R D U B G R Q R I T N R N

Preservation has a long history in our country. Let’s follow the timeline to learn about 

early efforts to protect our past. For example, Independence Hall, where the 

Declaration of Independence was signed, was almost torn down in 1816. Thanks to 

a visit by American Revolutionary War Hero the Marquis de Lafayette, the building 

was saved to host a party thrown in his honor. His visit sparked an interest in saving 

important sites that remember our country's achievements. 

1776

1789

1816 1820

1832

 

LAW

PRIDE

HISTORY

REMEMBER

 MONUMENT

LOVE

HONOR

PROTECT

PRESERVE

SIGNIFICANT

Sequoyah

Sequoyah was a Cherokee tribal member who was a painter, silversmith, 

and warrior but is most known for creating a writing system to preserve and 

continue the Cherokee language. His important work allowed for much of the 

Cherokee culture to be preserved and for their traditions to continue to today.
4

Virginia McClurg

Draw yourself as a protector!

When Mount Vernon, the home of President George Washington, fell into 

disrepair the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association fought to save the building and 

restore the property to its original beauty.

1848

1850

1856 1861

1865

Help these protectors get to those sites that needed 

protection! Watch out for obstacles along the way!

Ann Pamela Cunningham

Ann Pamela Cunningham founded the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the 

Union to save Mount Vernon, the home of former President George 

Washington. After hearing of the terrible state of the building from her mother, 

Cunningham formed a group interested in saving the site. The women raised 

enough money to buy Mount Vernon and honored its history by making repairs.
5

   

In Colorado, the remains of Mesa Verde are remnants of a once thriving ancient 

society nestled along steep cliffs and mesa tops. Virginia McClurg founded the 

Colorado Cliff Dwellings Association to protect evidence of prehistoric peoples at 

Mesa Verde. By raising money and petitioning Congress, she and other women 

succeeded in their efforts when the Theodore Roosevelt administration created 

Mesa Verde National Park in 1906.

1872 

1890 

1900 1901 

1903

Draw a place, object, or site that is 

special to you—one that you think 

deserves protection! 

Mount Vernon 

Mesa Verde
6

The first federal law created to protect historic properties and lands was the 

Antiquities Act. This law gives the President the power to protect historic 

and natural resources on land owned by the government. The President calls 

these places National Monuments.

1900

1903

1906 1908

1910

Over 400 park service sites are found across the country! 

Match the National Park Service site with its location on the map!

President Theodore Roosevelt

President Theodore Roosevelt is often called “the Conservationist President” 

because he supported preservation efforts all across the country. Not only did 

he understand the importance of conserving nature for everyone, he also 

worked to save important historic places. He used the Antiquities Act to 

designate and protect 18 sites as National Monuments.

1

Dry Tortugas

Located off of the 

Florida Keys, this 

Civil War fort lies 

among one of the 

most pristine coral 

reef ecosystems in 

the country. Denali

Home to the highest peak in the United 

States, this snowy wilderness captures the 

spirit and tranquility of America’s last frontier. 

2
7

The Organic Act established the National Park Service, the first government 

group specifically designed to preserve public lands and 

National Monuments.

1912

1914

1916 1918

1920

USS Arizona Memorial

Found on a Pacific island, this site 

memorializes those who lost their lives 

at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

3 4

Canyon de 

Chelly

(pronounced de shay) 

This site celebrates 

the visual beauty of 

the southwest and 

honors the 

traditional culture of 

the Navajo people. 

5

Brown v. Board

Located in the plains of the 

Midwest, this site 

commemorates a landmark 

political battle that helped 

overturn legal segregation in 

the United States.

6

Ellis Island

Generations of immigrants landed on the shores of this 

northeastern site. For many, this island was the gateway 

to freedom and prosperity in a new world.

Impress a Ranger! Label some 

other National Park Service sites 

you have visited!
8

The ideals of preservation also inspired communities to come together to 

protect local historic districts. In 1925, in New Orleans, Louisiana, 

the Vieux Carré Commission formed to encourage people in their community 

to care for historic homes and businesses. 

1921

1924

1925 1926

1927

Carter G. Woodson

Carter G. Woodson was an African-American historian, author, and 

journalist who created the Association for the Study of African 

American Life and History. Woodson’s work showed that history 

belongs to the American people, and that our traditions, languages, 

food, and art are critical to our past and our future. He also founded 

Black History Month in the 1920s, an event that we still celebrate 

today. Learn more about his achievements at Carter G. Woodson 

National Historic Site.

Historic preservation includes traditions and ideas, not just physical things. 

Our languages, traditional foods, dances, and artwork are also worth 

saving. Write a poem or song describing the place where you live. 

What makes it special? 
9

CCC boys taking a

“letter-writing” class in 1933

After the Great Depression began, the government established many social 

programs to create jobs and to help the nation get back on its feet. Some of 

these organizations—like the Civilian Conservation Corps—supported 

preservation projects all across the country.

1927

1928

1929 1932

1939

In the 1930s, several Civilian Conservation Corps companies were sent to 

Grand Canyon National Park to build trails, plant trees in the Village, and 

construct buildings and telephone lines. Imagine that you are a member of 

CCC Company 818. Write a letter home to your family describing your job. 

Is it hard? Why is it important? 
There are over 100 

National Historic 

Landmarks along 

Route 66!

10

.1

.2

.3

.4

.6

.7

.8

.9 .10

.11

.12

.13

.14

.15

.16

.17

.18

.19

.20

.5

The 1956 Federal Aid Highway Act created roads all across the country that 

sometimes harmed historic districts, buildings, and archeological sites. Today, 

any federal project must consider how it may help or hurt a historic site or 

property. What makes this protection possible?

1941

1945

1956 1957

1960

Lady Bird Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady of President Lyndon B. Johnson, asked many people 

to write true stories about the loss of older communities because of highway 

construction and building new houses. These stories were published in a book 

called With Heritage So Rich. By collecting and sharing these stories, Lady Bird

sparked interest and concern among many Americans and government officials

to take action to protect our shared history.

Connect the dots to discover the symbol of this famous highway!
Let’s take a closer 

look at 1966!

11

OUMNT NVNOER is a material assembly

which sheltered our first President. It is a Historic Building.

SMAE DREEV preserves the

remains of past human activity. It is an Archeological Resource.

NDGRA YANCNO AGLIVEL is a 

setting we have created in the natural world. It is a Cultural Landscape.

NANYCO ED LLCHEY honors a site that 

contains structures, landscapes, objects, and natural features of significance to 

traditions associated with a group of people. It is an Ethnographic Resource.

SUS NAZRIOA EMMLIAOR is a 

constructed resource that does not provide shelter. This is defined as Historic 

Structure.

The National Historic Preservation Act responded to the need for stronger 

protection and preservation of our nation’s cultural resources. A cultural resource is 

defined as evidence of past activities and accomplishments of people. This can 

include sites, buildings, objects, landscapes, or structures.

1962

1965

1966

Unscramble these examples of Cultural Resources that the National 

Historic Preservation Act protects! These examples of Cultural Resources 

are found throughout pages 1-9. 
1966 was a very 

important year!

12

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Congress created the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1949 to make sure that everyone had a voice in 

historic preservation. This group reaches out to communities to help identify historic places that need protection. 

By working with the community, members of the National Trust can advocate for statewide or nationwide 

protection of special places in individual communities.

• We keep a list of all historic places worthy of preservation, called The

National Register of Historic Places.

• When we identify places that define our history as a nation, we give these 

places extra protection and designate them as National Historic 

Landmarks. The NHPA strengthened how we identify these sites.

How does the NHPA work? The government may decide to build a new 

building in a community. However, this building might be constructed over historic 

sites. Let’s see how this law protects these special places . . .

First, the law requires the government to identify and document cultural resources 

near the proposed building through pictures, drawings, or reports. This process 

helps to document the resources so that future generations make sure they aren’t 

damaged or changed.

The law also gives members of the public—that means you!—a chance to share 

their feelings about how the building may hurt or harm special places in their 

community. It also requires the government to work with local preservation groups 

before they construct the building. 

1966

The National Historic Preservation Act is a law that requires the federal 

government to think very carefully about changes they make that can impact historic 

sites or resources. When the government wants to begin a new project, they need to 

follow this law to preserve our past from possible threats. The NHPA also asks our 

country to reuse historic places before we build new ones whenever possible.
During the Great Depression, the National Park Service drew up a proposal to create jobs for out-of-work 

architects by asking them to survey all of America’s great historic buildings. Today, this group continues to 

document in detailed plans, drawings, and photographs over half a million historic sites in the United States.
Today, one of the biggest challenges for protecting historic places is finding the new 

generation of protectors. Complete this crossword puzzle of careers that help 

protect our heritage! Which of these jobs do you want to do?

We made it to today! 

But what will the future 

hold? 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1987

2001

Present Day

Across

2. Someone who designs and protects buildings.

3. Someone who studies the remains of ancient human activity.

6. Someone who finds artifacts to display in museums.

7. Someone who studies the recorded past of human activity.

8. Someone who works in our National Parks protecting and preserving our natural 

and cultural heritage.

Down

1. Someone who hold the 

highest office in the United 

States and can designate 

monuments using the 

Antiquities Act

4. Someone who works with 

wood.

5. Someone who educates 

people about everything from 

science, history, and math, to

art, music, and writing.

Careers Crossword!

Word Bank

President Grants Writer

Archeologist Historian

Teacher Curator

Engineer Surveyor

Carpenter Ranger

Architect Politician

3

4

1

2

5

6

7

8
Lady Bird Johnson

Carter G. Woodson

President

Theodore Roosevelt

15

Sequoyah

Ann Pamela

Cunningham

Matching

Draw lines from each key historic person to their accomplishments! Go 

back through the book and use the A Closer Look! facts as clues.

This figure created an association 

to help protect and preserve Mount 

Vernon, the home of former 

President George Washington.

Supporting preservation acts across 

the country, this figure used the 

Antiquities Act to designate 18 sites 

as National Monuments.

This figure created a writing system

which helped preserve the 

Cherokee language and allowed for 

the Cherokee culture to continue to 

this day.

This figure was an historian, author, 

and journalist who honored an 

important part of American history 

by preserving languages, traditional 

foods, dances, and artwork.

This figure asked many people to 

write true stories about the loss of 

older communities. This helped 

inspire government officials to 

protect our shared history.
How will you help 

protect our national 

heritage? 

156

1. Draw a picture of a place you think is worth protecting. 

Complete your own Junior Ranger nomination form! Think of a historic place 

in your community that you think is worth protecting. Talk with a park ranger, 

teacher, or parent to help you complete this form! 

The National Register of Historic Places asks everyone to make special records of 

important places on nomination forms. State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) 

and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) are two groups that help the public 

complete these forms. Is there a place in your community that you think is important? 

Into the Future
17

2. What is it? Check the box!

 Building Site 

 Object Structure 

 District Other 

3. Where is it?

4. How old is it? What was it used for in the past and what is it used 

for today?

5. Why is it important?

BONUS ACTIVITY! After you complete the form, go to 

www.nps.gov/nr to find out if your nominated place is already listed 

in the National Register! 
R O W 

18

 A B C D E 

 F G H I J 

 K L M N O 

 P Q R S T 

 U V W X YZ

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

 1 2 3 4 5

CODE: 4/1 1/1 2/2 1/5 4/5 5/3 3/5 

 ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ 

C 

O 

L 

U 

M 

N 

Who is it? Write the answer below! 

GO HERE: 

To crack the code: In each pair of numbers below, the first number is the column 

number; the second number is the row number. Follow the column number and row 

number to where they intersect. Examples: 3/4 = N 2/5 = J. 

Write the letters in the spaces below to reveal where to turn in the book! 

One of our protectors in this book deserves special attention. 

Unscramble the code to find out who of our figures is the most 

important protector of our National Historic Places! 
19

Become a Web Ranger 

How to get started: 

1. Ask an adult for help and visit the Web Ranger website at 

www.nps.gov/webrangers/

2. Sign up. 

3. Take the Web Rangers pledge. 

4. Print your Web Rangers card. 

5. Choose your activities! 

Now you can help 

preserve historic sites 

from your home! 

One of the best ways to preserve the past is to embrace the “future.” 

Now you can learn about national parks, monuments, and historic 

sites online. There are more than 50 fun activities just for you. 

Complete the activities, track your progress, receive rewards, and 

earn your free Web Ranger patch! 
X L J O T R Y R Y O C E E B Q

S K H S N E E B O K J V Q H W

N L W M A Y C M X N R O T I R

D A X H C R U R E E O L L S D

L R E D I R P F S M E H D T I

P K T Z F G U E R G B R Z O V

U H U O I E R O X U F E L R M

O J Y P N P R I C P D J R Y F

B U G N G M N E R U F Y E D E

K Y H K I U V O D P E J O O X

E G K C S X T O I A L Q F A N

X G R L Y E L L I J R F G K C

Y B H V C P S V X S S L Q H U

U F A T U N M O N U M E N T B

I D R D U B G R Q R I T N R N
National Park Service

This Award Certifies that

 

_______________________________________________________________

is an official 

National Historic Preservation Act Junior 

Ranger

As a Junior Ranger, I pledge to do my part to conserve unimpaired the natural and 

cultural resources of the National Park System and my community for the enjoyment, 

education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

 
Historic Preservation

Junior Ranger Activity Book

“The historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as

a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of

orientation to the American people . . . the preservation of this irreplaceable

heritage is in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational,

aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and

enriched for future generations of Americans.” 

– Preamble to the National Historic Preservation Act, 1966

Visit the www.Preservation50.org for more information about the National Historic Preservation

Act, celebrations around the country, and the future of historic preservation.

This activity book and its badge are funded by:

National Park Service

Cultural Resources Stewardship, Partnerships, and Science Directorate

1849 C Street, NW

Washington, DC 20240