This week in Bozeman, librarians, historians, scientists and the public gathered to share ideas for how to preserve the history of Yellowstone National Park. This year is the park's 150th anniversary. Dayton Duncan, an award winning author and a collaborator on Ken Burns documentaries for over 30 years, gave the keynote address at the Conversations on Collecting Yellowstone Conference. Wyoming Public Radio's Melodie Edwards sat down with Duncan and asked him about the title of his talk, "Happenstance and History."
Dayton Duncan: If you look back at history, you think that it was supposed to be this way. It was always going to be this way, it was preordained, or it was inevitable. Nothing in history is inevitable, I believe. And at 150 years old, I think it's important to remember that Yellowstone is one of the great best ideas America ever had to quote Wallace Stegner on the National Park idea. When it was created as a national park in 1872, no one there said, 'Oh, we're changing the arc of history here. We're doing something no one had ever thought of doing,' even though that was true. That was not the motivation and the foresight that they had.
Melodie Edwards: The first superintendent ended up misleading people about the idea that Indigenous people hadn't used the park before, as a way to make sure that tourists felt safe to go there. So I wonder if you can talk a little bit about the truth about the role of Indigenous people in Yellowstone?
DD: Well, I mean, the Mountain Shoshone lived there for time immemorial, and dozens of other Native tribes who would travel through to gather obsidian for their arrowheads, to hunt, to fish, to take advantage of the hot springs for variety reasons, the health or for religious rights. They all knew about the place. So in the film that Ken and I made about the National Parks, we tried to make that point, that the "discovery" of the National Parks was new to some people, but it wasn't new to the people who called the place home. There were all these myths for sometimes self serving reasons. People propagated that Indians, of course, were superstitious, and so these geysers and the other things would probably scare them, or they thought that they were evil spirits or whatever, all of its balderdash.
So it's a troubled history, both in terms of overlooking the deeper history that Native people have had with this very special place, and it was sometimes used against them. On the better side of that is that starting, I think, around the mid-1990s, the Park Service began making steady and now accelerated efforts to involve Native people with both the management of the park but also just to make sure that their story and their relationship to it are not forgotten.
ME: Yeah, that was going to be my next question, just how that rocky beginning set the park on a certain trajectory in terms of its mission and how maybe that mission has kind of zig zagged along the course of history?
DD: The future of wildlife was really hardly discussed at all. And it was with a changing mission evolving with the National Park Service, partly due to a young biologist named George Melendez Wright and other people who said, "Well, this is not the Park Service's mission, just to cater to tourists. Giving them a show of bears eating at garbage dumps is really not what we're supposed to be doing." And over time, they realize that predators shouldn't be shot. And over time, Yellowstone became the place where the bison teetering on the brink of extinction were saved. That wasn't why it was set aside. It just was a happenstance. And luckily for us that occurred. The trumpeter swan was on the verge of extinction. And George Melendez Wright did studies of them in Yellowstone in the surrounding area. The result of that were efforts that were made to give them sanctuary and preserve that magnificent bird from also going extinct.
So history not only is it not inevitable, it doesn't travel in a straight line, it evolves. It's more biological than it is mathematical. It also means that we can't take it for granted that everything's going to be fine. It takes the efforts of people who champion the park idea and what we think are the better principles of it. And it's a constant battle. I mean, who are we as Americans? Are we the kind of people and nation that could take a magnificent species like the bison that once existed in uncountable numbers and drive them to the brink of extinction? Oh, yes, we are - for a buck. Yeah, that's us. Or could we lay waste to the magnificent continent in our hurry to get to the Pacific Ocean? Yeah, that's us. But are we also people who could, in certain instances, at least say, 'No, we're not doing that here' or 'No, we're not doing that anymore.''
ME: To just build on that, there are arguments being made to actually privatize or put into local control our public lands. And so it does seem like there might be a need for a recommitment to this idea of national parks and public lands.
DD: I guess my point is, there is always a need for a recommitment. Because you can never take it for granted, just as we cannot take democracy for granted. That it's always, this experiment - an experiment in democracy. I just wrote and made a Ken Burns film on Benjamin Franklin. He understood this perfectly. Nothing's necessarily going to work out. It relies on the people and their leaders - but principally the people demanding of their leaders - to make it all work well. And that's true of democracy. And that's true of our public lands.
ME: Can you tell me the story about your relationship to National Parks and Yellowstone in particular?
DD: Yeah, well, I'm an old man and I grew up in a little town in Iowa. I was nine years old about to turn 10 when my family took its first and almost only real extended vacation of my youth. We borrowed my grandmother's car. We borrowed camping equipment from neighbors. She thought we'd go to a lot of these National Parks out in the West, for two reasons: One is they're important. And secondly, we could afford them. So we headed West and went through the Badlands of South Dakota into Mount Rushmore, went to what was then called Custer National Battlefield, now Little Bighorn National Battlefield Historic Site, came to Yellowstone. This was right after the '59 earthquake, half of the park was closed. So I lived through aftershock tremors at the bottom of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone. Saw my first bear. saw my first moose, saw, obviously, my first geyser. A lot of the geysers were going off at odd times because of the tremendous earthquake that just occurred. We went to Grand Teton National Park, went to Dinosaur National Monument, camped there and headed back through Rocky Mountain.
And it was in retrospect, I think, a formative moment. And it was made possible because [the parks] existed, and because we could afford to go see them. And then as, you know, later in my life, I started writing books and then I started working on documentary films, and one of the persistent things that I've always been interested in is the connection of the American story and the American landscape. And I think that the National Park idea is the Declaration of Independence applied to the landscape. In other words, the National Park idea is as radical as the Declaration of Independence. In all of recorded history, prior to this, the most majestic and sacred places of a nation were preserved for the Kings nobility, the rich, the well connected. And for the first time, we as a nation, founded on the idea of the Declaration of Independence, said 'No, some of our most spectacular majestic and sacred places are there for everyone, and for all time,' and that was new under the sun.
It's a wonderland. And it's become the last refuge for the American buffalo, which Ken and I are doing a film on right now. Which themselves could easily have gone extinct, were it not for the efforts of a diverse group of individuals in different parts of the United States at a critical moment in time, but Yellowstone figures very prominently in that story. And now it's a place where you can go see bison, and you can see wolves. At least at the moment, assuming they're not all shot the same moment they get out of the park boundaries. It's a very special place. And it needs to be protected. And it also faces all these challenges in which last year almost 5 million people decided to come. And God bless them for that. But that presents challenges that have to be addressed somehow.
ME: One of the ways in which they can maybe control the influx of people is by making the cost of getting in more expensive. And then there's going to be families like yours that maybe can't visit Yellowstone.
DD: No, I mean, it is an inherent tension in the National Park idea. And when the National Park Service was created, inherent in the law that created them is that it served two critical elements. The first is that these places are for everyone, not just exclusively set aside for, as I say, the rich and the royalty and the well connected. It's for everybody. We all are co-owners of it. And that is key to that idea.
The second and equally important thing is, they need to be there for Americans and people not yet born. They're there for all time, and therefore have to be protected and preserved, which require regulations and management practices that will make it possible for people you and I will never know and so generations we'll never see can have the same experience that we did.
That's a tremendous challenge. But I like to think that the more people that come to the National Park, the more people become potential champions of the National Park idea. And so the problem that we've got too many people coming here is a management problem. The other problem would be nobody gives a damn about them, and that would be an existential problem.
More:
- THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 8/20 - Region Sports Network - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- This week in Loveland history for Aug. 20-26, 2023 - Loveland Reporter-Herald - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- August 20: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - Brooklyn Daily Eagle - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- How to Keep Track of Changes in Google Keep With Version History - MUO - MakeUseOf - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- This Week in History: Vienna Homecoming welcomes native sons ... - Warren Tribune Chronicle - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Avatar: The Last Airbender: The History of the Water Tribe - GameRant - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Edy Tavares and Cape Verde poised to make history at 2023 FIBA ... - Olympics - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- 10 all-time worst trades in Baltimore Orioles history - Birds Watcher - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Artists Komar and Melamid Give Lessons in History - The Moscow Times - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Butler welcomes the most diverse freshman class in university ... - WRTV Indianapolis - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Crow Fair 2023 packed with history and culture, and all are invited - Q2 News - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- The sunset of Sonic Youth: An oral history of the band's final U.S. show - NPR - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Russia, Ukraine and Versailles: Bogus lessons from history won't ... - Salon - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Opinion | The Georgia Indictment Speaks to History - The New York Times - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- UNC Football: A look at the 2023 schedule through the lens of history - Tar Heel Blog - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Types of public transports: Brief dive into history - Daily Sabah - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Red Sox infielder Luis Uras makes history with back-to-back grand ... - Yahoo Sports - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Ranking the top 10 running backs in Georgia football history - Red and Black - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- The history of cyclical bull markets suggests the S&P 500 could rise ... - CNBC - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- A history of healing | Hub - The Hub at Johns Hopkins - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell on Making Tony History - TIME - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Pee Dee archaeologists hope to unearth Native American history - Charleston Post Courier - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Studying slavery and the history of Juneteenth | Rowan Today ... - Rowan Today - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- In a City of Monuments, History Lives Onstage and in the Streets - The New York Times - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Dua Lipa's Dating History: From Anwar Hadid to Romain Gavras - PEOPLE - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Kentucky Baseball's Homefield History In The NCAA Tournament - KSR - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Association of international scholars turns focus to history of women ... - Global Sisters Report - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Pat Mann Phillips makes Houston rodeo history as first woman elected to lead board of directors - Houston Public Media - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Tom Dwan Wins Largest Pot in Live-Stream Poker History ($3.1 ... - PokerNews.com - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- The history of spy animals; 'Blue Ribbon Kitchen' offers award ... - NPR - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- LOOKING BACK: A Vicksburg home with Stamps on history - The ... - Vicksburg Post - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- The Oldest Olympic Champions In Swimming History - SwimSwam - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- 'Tenacious' Guyer softball team aims for more history at second-ever ... - Denton Record Chronicle - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- HISTORY: Tennessee Towns That Failed to Launch - Main Street Media of Tennessee - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- A look at the history and influence of downtown San Diego's ... - ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Learning the History and Customs of Martinsville Speedway - WSET - April 12th, 2023 [April 12th, 2023]
- World History Portal | Britannica - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- Abstract paintings by Cleveland native John Moore reflect erasure of personal history as part of being Black - cleveland.com - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]
- My first day was a sex scene: the disturbing history of teen actors and nudity - The Guardian - January 10th, 2023 [January 10th, 2023]
- Local historian brings Oakland Countys history back to life with online lectures - C&G Newspapers - January 10th, 2023 [January 10th, 2023]
- VCUs medical college history found to be intimately connected with slavery, report finds - WRIC ABC 8News - January 10th, 2023 [January 10th, 2023]
- Dolphins Super Bowl history: When is the last time Miami made it to, won the Super Bowl? - NBC Sports - Misc. - January 10th, 2023 [January 10th, 2023]
- At the San Diego History Center, a historic donation - The San Diego Union-Tribune - January 6th, 2023 [January 6th, 2023]
- Arrest of squeegee kid reveals history of run-ins with drivers and police, records show - Fox Baltimore - January 6th, 2023 [January 6th, 2023]
- Tesla is now worth less than Exxon as stock plunges toward worst month, quarter and year in history - MarketWatch - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- On this day in history, Dec. 21, 1945, Gen. Patton dies in Germany after he was paralyzed in auto crash - Fox News - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- Vikings stun Colts: Matt Ryan has now been on the losing end of these four biggest blown leads in NFL history - CBS Sports - December 18th, 2022 [December 18th, 2022]
- What time will National Treasure: Edge of History air on Disney+? Release date, plot, and more details about the action-adventure series - Sportskeeda - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Mendocino County history: Willits Grade lumber spill, and other news from November 1948 - Ukiah Daily Journal - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- The Renaissance Run: Bruce Boudreau Named 14th Head Coach in Franchise History On This Day 15 Years Ago - NoVa Caps - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- Qatar Make World Cup History As First Host Nation To Lose In Opening Game - Sports Illustrated - November 21st, 2022 [November 21st, 2022]
- History is best told through relatable human stories. - Monterey County Weekly - October 23rd, 2022 [October 23rd, 2022]
- History made in China as Xi Jinping to serve third term - breaking decades-long precedent - Sky News - October 23rd, 2022 [October 23rd, 2022]
- No matter who wins, the next Governor of Arkansas will make history - KNWA - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- Ole Miss vs. LSU history: Last time they played, who has won the most games, best moments - DraftKings Nation - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- What is witchcraft? The definition, the types and the history. - USA TODAY - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Women Reflected in Their Own History - Notes - E-Flux - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- History in the making: Wells is new museum director - Sent-trib - Sentinel-Tribune - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- And the West is History: Train Crossing 12th Street - 1966 - The Durango Herald - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The Intimate and Interconnected History of the Internet - The Nation - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The Haunted History of New England Presentation ~ October 23 - thebedfordcitizen.org - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- An Oil Company Planned to Bulldoze Black History. This Community Fought Back. - Earthjustice - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- New Tourist Attraction to Educate Tourists, Community on Manistee History - 9 & 10 News - 9&10 News - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- WATCH: Phillies' J.T. Realmuto hits inside-the-park home run, first catcher in postseason history - CBS Sports - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Mother-daughter race duo make history in Las Vegas: 'I hope we do it again' - Fox News - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- This week in history Oct. 14, 1922: Winter arrives and slows seasonal mining business - Summit Daily - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- LeBron James record watch: Where the Lakers star stands in history books before the season - CBS Sports - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The history of Quinsippi Island | History | whig.com - Herald-Whig - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Miles grad makes largest alum donation in school history, hopes to be catalyst for giving to HBCUs - AL.com - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Investor Optimism Drops to One of 60 Lowest Readings in History - The Epoch Times - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Will short week hurt Chiefs vs. the Bills? Heres what history tells us - syracuse.com - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The untold history of UC San Diego's terrible, weird and glorious single season of football - The San Diego Union-Tribune - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The History Channel - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- What we risk by narrowly restricting our kids view of history and culture - Idaho Capital Sun - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The history of Jewish admissions and experience at Stanford - Stanford Report - Stanford University News - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Snapshots of history coming to Glens Falls - NEWS10 ABC - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- How one Santa Cruz teacher teaches U.S. history and how she sees her role as a history teacher today - Lookout Santa Cruz - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- SDMHA Announce Cherokee History Event Oct. 15 And Other Upcoming Programs - The Chattanoogan - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- History book contest winners announced | The American Legion - The American Legion - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Christian Bale and Margo Robbie's 'Amsterdam' is on pace to lose $100 millionthese are the 10 biggest box office bombs in history - CNBC - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]