Natural museums

"In 1872 the world's first national park was founded at Yellowstone. Although ideas of nature conservation were not embraced generally by the American public, five more parks were created before the turn of the century." "Although the Park Service recently has placed some emphasis on protecting samples of North America's ecosystems, the earliest national parks were viewed as natural museums - monuments to national grandeur that would edify visitors. Not only were these early parks to preserve monumental and unique natural attractions, but they also had to be of no use to mining, lumbering, agriculture, and other "productive" industries, Natural Museums examines the notions of park monumentalism, "worthlessness," and national significance, as well as the parks' roles as wilderness preserves and recreational centers."--Jacket.