Award Number (for administrative use only):
PR/J Number: R1330110014
PROJECT ABSTRACT
Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
(Cooperative Agreement # H1200-09-0005)
Park: Bryce Canyon National Park
Project Title: Bryce Canyon Memories
Funding Amount: $71,776.00
CPCESU Partner Institution: Southern Utah University
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jon Smith, Southern Utah University, Chair, Communication
Department,351 West University Blvd., Cedar City, Utah 84720 , smith_jo@suu.edu
Co-Investigator: Janet Seegmiller, Associate Professor of Library Media, Southern Utah
University, 351 West University Blvd., Cedar City, Utah 84720 , 435-865-8434,
seegmiller@suu.edu
NPS ATR/Key Official: Laura Schrage, PO Box 640201, Bryce Utah 84764, 435-834-4751,
435-834-4704, Larua_Schrage@nps.gov
NPS Project Manager/Subject Matter Expert: Larry E Thrower, Revenue and Fee Business
Manager, PO Box 640201, Bryce Utah 84764, 435-834-4770, 435-834-4704,
larry_thrower@nps.gov
Start Date: January 01, 2011
End Date: May 31, 2013
Abstract: This project will conduct oral histories with former and current employees and local
residents concerning the history of Bryce Canyon National Park and its related communities
from the early 1920’s to the 1970’s. Although several oral histories have been collected, many
more individuals still need to be interviewed. Information sought relates to personal experience
and anecdotes that do not appear in official documentation and cannot otherwise be obtained,
and might include stories about early road construction, visitor experience, management
activities, maintenance documentation and informal policies. These oral histories will play a
pivotal role in the park’s interpretive program; for primary resources used in development of
1
living history interpretive programs and other cultural interpretive programs. It will also be used
in other aspects of land management such as the development of cultural landscapes and a
return to natural fire regimes. The tapes and/or transcriptions of these oral histories will become
part of the National Park Service museum collection and available to National Park Service
staff, other local agencies and the general public for research purposes.
Keywords:

Anthropogenic Issues
1.
2.
3.
4.
Demographics
Social and Economic Issues
Land Use
Grazing
2