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The National Parks

The Empire Of Grandeur (1915-1919)

Season 1 Episode 3 | 1hr 50m 32s

In the early 20th century, America has a dozen national parks, but they are a haphazard patchwork of special places under the supervision of different federal agencies. The conservation movement, after failing to stop the Hetch Hetchy dam, pushes the government to establish one unified agency to oversee all the parks, leading to the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916.

Aired: 04/24/16
Major funding is provided by General Motors, Evelyn & Walter Haas,Jr. Fund, CPB; Bank of America; The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; Park Foundation, Inc; PBS; National Park Foundation; The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts.
Extras
Watch • 1:53:40
The National Parks
Morning of Creation (1946-1980)
Examine the proliferation of protected lands and the protection of predatory animals.
Episode: S1 E6 | 1:53:40
Watch • 0:30
The National Parks
The Morning of Creation (1946-1980) | Preview
Examine the proliferation of protected lands and the protection of predatory animals.
Preview: S1 E6 | 0:30
Watch • 1:53:40
The National Parks
Great Nature (1933-1945)
Learn about the changes to the national parks during the Great Depression and WWII.
Episode: S1 E5 | 1:53:40
Watch • 0:30
The National Parks
Going Home (1920-1933) | Preview
Encounter the growing numbers of visitors to the parks.
Preview: S1 E4 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
The National Parks
Great Nature (1933-1945) | Preview
Learn about the changes to the national parks during the Great Depression and WW II.
Preview: S1 E5 | 0:30
Watch • 1:54:41
The National Parks
Going Home (1920-1933)
Encounter the growing numbers of visitors to the parks.
Episode: S1 E4 | 1:54:41
Watch • 0:30
The National Parks
The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919) | Preview
Discover efforts to protect the parks and the fight over the Grand Canyon.
Preview: S1 E3 | 0:30
Watch • 2:11:22
The National Parks
The Last Refuge (1890-1915)
Investigate the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and others to protect the land.
Episode: S1 E2 | 2:11:22
Watch • 0:30
The National Parks
The Last Refuge (1890-1915) | Preview
Investigate the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt and others to preserve pristine lands.
Preview: S1 E2 | 0:30
Watch • 1:53:40
The National Parks
The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890)
Examine the radical idea of creating national parks for the enjoyment of everyone.
Episode: S1 E1 | 1:53:40
Latest Episodes
Watch • 1:53:40
The National Parks
Morning of Creation (1946-1980)
Examine the proliferation of protected lands and the protection of predatory animals.
Episode: S1 E6 | 1:53:40
Watch • 1:53:40
The National Parks
Great Nature (1933-1945)
Learn about the changes to the national parks during the Great Depression and WWII.
Episode: S1 E5 | 1:53:40
Watch • 1:54:41
The National Parks
Going Home (1920-1933)
Encounter the growing numbers of visitors to the parks.
Episode: S1 E4 | 1:54:41
Watch • 2:11:22
The National Parks
The Last Refuge (1890-1915)
Investigate the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and others to protect the land.
Episode: S1 E2 | 2:11:22
Watch • 1:53:40
The National Parks
The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890)
Examine the radical idea of creating national parks for the enjoyment of everyone.
Episode: S1 E1 | 1:53:40