Zion Observes Its Centennial

On Friday, July 31st, approximately 300 visitors and invited guests gathered at the old Grotto Museum building in Zion Canyon to observe the 100th anniversary of Zion National Park, which dates its origin from its establishment as Mukuntuweap National Monument on July 31, 1909. 

Superintendent Jock Whitworth served as the master of ceremonies and speakers included Laura Joss, acting deputy regional director for Intermountain Region; J.L. Crawford, a 95-year-old former Zion ranger, and state and local officials.

The event included recognition of the recent designation of 84% of the park as the Zion Wilderness and designation of the Virgin River and many of its tributaries as a Wild and Scenic River, the first in Utah.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, Joss dedicated the recently rehabilitated Grotto Museum building, the oldest extant building in the park, for its future use as the home of the park’s new Artist in Residence program and as a research facility.  The building was then opened for public viewing. 

Following the ceremony, invited guests attended an awards luncheon for partners who have worked with the park in planning and conducting centennial events throughout 2009.  Following the luncheon, a cultural program on Southern Paiute dance and songs was presented on the Zion Lodge lawn, and the Postal Service provided special Zion Centennial postmarks at the Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons Visitor Centers.  Throughout the day, special interpretive and Junior Ranger programs were offered to celebrate the day.  An evening chamber music concert on the Zion Lodge lawn brought the day’s events to a close. 

Centennial events will continue through October, with the last planned event being an employee reunion from October 16th to October 18th.