Vol 3, #66

   Friday, July 16, 1999

YELLOWSTONE
WEATHER
Highs 70s, Lows 30s
Partly Sunny
 

Yellowstone Net Home Page
 

ROAD REPORT
All entrances
are now open.
There are some
construction
delays in the
Park.
 

HELENA, Mont. -- "Montana The Magazine of Western History," published by the Montana
Historical Society has just released a Special Issue on Yellowstone and Western Images. Copies are available in book stores, on newsstands, on the Society's web site www.his.mt.gov, or can be ordered directly from the Society by calling toll- free 1-800-243-9900.

Lovers of Yellowstone National Park and other western scenic wonders are treated in the new issue of  "Montana The Magazine of Western History" to an historic look at the photographers and painters who first brought them to national attention.

The special issue of the award-winning magazine, "Yellowstone and Western Images," features illustrated articles on such noted early Yellowstone photographers as William Henry Jackson, L.A. Huffman, Henry Bird Calfee, William I. Marshall, Oliver C. Bundy and Edgar H. Train, as well as the striking painted landscapes of Montana artist Ralph DeCamp.

Yellowstone National Park historian Lee H. Whittlesey leads off the special issue with an article, "Everyone Can Understand a Picture," on the early photographers and promotion of the park in the 1870s.

As the "New York Times" remarked at a time when only a few people could get to the park: "While only a select few can appreciate the discoveries of the geologists or the exact measurements of the topographers, everyone can understand a picture."

All of the articles in the issue are heavily illustrated with photos from the Society collection and other vintage photographs, including such rare images as the first-ever photograph of Old Faithful and other images from the 1870s.

Other articles in the special issue are on Thomas J. Hine, who took the first picture of Old Faithful, and Joshua Crissman, who was a partner of the famed photographer William Henry Jackson, but has been until now virtually unknown in history.

Society Curator of Collections Kirby Lambert in his article, "Through the Artist's Eye: The Paintings and Photographs of R. E. DeCamp," tells the story of a great Montana landscape artist who has been long overshadowed by his contemporaries, including internationally known Charles M. Russell and Edgar Paxson.

Lambert's article is illustrated with magnificent landscapes reproduced in color in the magazine. Color also is used to accompany another article on the 1859 Lander Expedition which included the famous artist Albert Bierstadt and a number of other artists.

"The combination of original research and magnificent photographs and paintings resulted in a special issue that is both beautiful and revealing on how we as a nation first came to know the American West through such images," Society Director of Publications Charles Rankin said.

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS

Ralph Maughan
Kim Steinbacher
Kevin Sanders
Steve Brashear
Clint Wilkes
Tim Gourley
Hon. Bob Gammage
Ruth Colter-Frick
Lee Whittlesey
Tom Mazzarisi
Russ Finley
David Monteith
Denise Elmer
Dr. Bob Bara

The United States' Mint Yellowstone Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin was released today (July 16), and is now available for order.  A proof coin will have a mirror background (or field) and the engraved parts will have a frosted look. It is the highest quality coin. The uncirculated version will be shiny and new, but not like the proof coin. The quickest way to get an order placed would be to call the U.S. Mint order number: 1-800-USA-MINT or 1-800-872-6468.  The pre-release date will run through August 27.

The maximum mintage is 500,000 coins in Proof and Uncirculated. Both the Proof and Uncirculated coins will be struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

The obverse design, produced by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Edgar Z. Steever IV, carries a rendition of Yellowstone's "Old Faithful" geyser, with a tree-lined landscape in the background. The reverse design (submitted as an obverse and preferred by the Department of the Interior/National Park Service) executed by Mint Sculptor-Engraver William C. Cousins, is an adaptation of the Interior Department's seal. The design captures a regal American bison on the plains with a brilliant sun with rays rising over mountains in the background.

Half of the surcharges from the sale of the commemorative silver dollars are to be paid   to Yellowstone National Park for its upkeep and preservation. The remaining 50% to the National Park Foundation to be for other national parks.

Visitors to Yellowstone may order the coin while in the Park.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPS) -- The National Park Service (NPS) today announced that the public is invited to participate in a series of seven public meetings, July 20 through August 5, 1999, on the revision of the agency's 1997 Strategic Plan.

The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 requires all Federal agencies to have Strategic Plans, and to revise and update these plans at least once every three years.  The NPS revision will cover the period of time extending from fiscal year 2000 to 2005 (a fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30).

The NPS Strategic Plan is founded on two landmark documents, the 1991 National Parks for the 21st Century:  The Vail Agenda and the 1994 National Park Service Strategic Plan/Vision.  These documents resulted from the NPS's 75th Anniversary Symposium, a unique effort at self-scrutiny and self-renewal in which the NPS sought expertise and widely diverse viewpoints from within and outside government to build a strong foundation for preserving America's treasured National Park System into the next century.

"We have been working diligently for many years to prepare for the challenges of the new Millenium, and are committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Service's management," said NPS Deputy Director Denis Galvin, who has overseen development of the agency's Strategic Plan.  "We are urging the public to take part in these hearings to not only help us further strengthen our Strategic plan and goals for the future, but also to learn more about the agency's mission and responsibilities."

Interested persons may make oral or written comments during and after the public meetings.  Written comments must be received within seven days of the public meeting.

The proposed changes to the 1997 NPS Strategic Plan are available for review on the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/goalcomments.   After reaching the site, persons can review the proposed goals and view the 1997 Strategic Plan. The site will be available after July 20 and will be open through August 13th.

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- The tourist season in Yellowstone is now in full swing.   During the months of July and August, many visitors try to make lodging reservations inside the Park a day or two ahead of time.  However, visitors should be aware that finding a room at such a late date is very difficult.  The nearby towns of West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Jackson and Cody also offer accommodations to Park visitors.   Try to plan more than a day or two ahead, and call 888-255-7710 for all your reservation needs, including lodging and activities.

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