Antiquities Act
On June 8, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the first legal protection of natural and cultural resources in the United States into law. Today the law is known as the Antiquities Act. Under this law, presidents have the authority to protect national landmarks by designating them as national monuments to ensure that our nation’s archaeological resources, historic structures, and natural areas are preserved for future generations.
Over the past hundred years, 14 presidents have used the Antiquities Act to establish more than 120 national monuments across the United States, many of which have become part of the National Park System. In 2005, units of the National Park System protected in whole or in part through the Antiquities Act received more than 45 million visitors—nearly one out of every six national park visits.
In 1872, the creation of Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park. By the late 19th century there was public concern about protecting our nation’s prehistoric, historic, and scientific landmarks from looting and vandalism. It was not until 1906 when the creation of the Antiquities Act established the first national legal framework for the protection of archeological sites and historical structures. Without the use of the Antiquities Act, our national park system could look much different today.
The Antiquities Act has facilitated the protection of more than 25 percent of the National Park System, including spectacular national treasures like the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Zion, Joshua Tree, and Gates of the Arctic. In addition to their historic ties to significant philanthropic generosity, Acadia and Grand Teton national parks both have been protected in part through the Antiquities Act. The act has also been used to protect cultural treasures ranging from Casa Grande Ruins to the Statue of Liberty.
Presidents often have exercised their power to declare lands of the United States national monuments when those places were threatened with degradation or when the priceless antiquities upon them faced potential annihilation. However, presidents generally have exercised their use of the Antiquities Act sparingly. Throughout the last century, presidents have issued Antiquities Act declarations, on average, once per year. Despite occasional controversy, Congress has only repealed 5,000 acres out of the 70 million acres protected by 14 presidents. Congress has done much more to validate the decisions these presidents have made through subsequent expansions and re-designations as national parks.
The Antiquities Act, just as the National Park Service Organic Act and the Wilderness Act, stands as one of our nation’s most powerful tools for protecting our special places. The centennial celebration of the Antiquities Act represents an important achievement in history, which helps to preserve of our nation’s cultural and natural treasures.
Help protect America’s national monuments, contact your local representative to ensure they receive the funding and protection they deserve. For more information, visit: www.npca.org/take_action.
