The U.S. Postal Service issued a pane of National Park Service Forever Stamps celebrating the 100th Anniversary of NPS on August 25, 2016.

The stunning Forever stamps depicting 16 examples of US national treasures issued on June 2, 2016.

To create buzz and excitement among National Park fans, each stamp was previewed alphabetically over the three weeks, beginning Monday, April 4.

National Park Service Forever Stamps

The June 2 first-day-of-issue ceremony for National Park Service Forever Stamps took place at New York City’s Javits Center at 11 a.m. as part of World Stamp Show NY-2016.

“These stamps celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Parks and depict the beauty and diversity of these national treasures,” said Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan. “They serve as an inspiration for Americans to visit, learn and to write cherished memories of their trips to these incredible wonders.”

Dedication ceremonies also will take place at or near each of the national parks depicted on the stamps.

Individuals are asked to spread the news on social media by using the hashtags #FindYourPark or #NPS100 or #NPSStamps.

“This set of stamps will take people on a journey to some of the most amazing places in the world,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “We are thrilled that the 16 national park stamps issued in ’16 for the centennial depict the variety of parks that collectively tell the story of our country.”

The National Parks Stamp Pane

The National Park System consists of more than 400 park sites. The stamp pane, designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, includes 16 stamp images featuring existing art or photography representing the regional diversity of the National Park System.

All stamps show national parks or plants, animals, artwork, objects and structures found in or associated with a national park. Small type on the margin of each stamp indicates the park’s location.

Kessler arranged the stamps to approximate their locations around America: Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve on the upper left; Maine’s Acadia National Park on the upper right; Hawaii’s Haleakala National Park on the bottom left; and Florida’s and Mississippi’s Gulf Islands National Seashore on the bottom right.

The Sixteenth Stamp preview : Yellowstone National Park

A stunning photograph of two bison silhouetted in Yellowstone National Park’s winter morning sun was previewed as the last of 16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

The uniquely designed stamp pane containing all 16 stamp images will be previewed later this week.

The image was captured by Art Wolfe of Seattle, WA, who described it as, “perfectly backlit bison standing on a small rise in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley.”

Marvel. Explore. Discover. Visit Yellowstone and experience the world’s first national park. Marvel at a volcano’s hidden power rising up in colorful hot springs, mud pots and geysers.

Explore mountains, forests and lakes to watch wildlife and witness the drama of the natural world unfold. Discover the history that led to the conservation of our national treasures “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Visit this link for more information.

The Fifteenth Stamp preview : Theodore Roosevelt National Park

A photograph of the Little Missouri River winding through the Badlands of North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park was previewed as the 15th of 16 Forever Stamp images to be issued to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

The photograph was taken in July 2013 by Q.T. Luong of San Jose, CA, who captured the image in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the course of his 20-year project to photograph 59 national parks.

According to the National Park Service, when Theodore Roosevelt came to Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, he was a “skinny, young, spectacled New Yorker.” He could not have imagined how his adventure in this remote and unfamiliar place would forever alter the course of the nation.

The rugged landscape and strenuous life he experienced here would help shape a conservation policy that we still benefit from today.

The Fourteenth Stamp preview : San Francisco Maritime Historical Park

A photograph of an iconic three-masted sailing ship was previewed to highlight San Francisco Maritime Historic National Park as the 14th of 16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

The stamp image is a portion of a photograph by Tim Campbell of San Francisco, CA, of the square-rigger, Balclutha. Just visible to the right of the deep waterman/salmon packet sailing vessel is the 1907 steam tugboat Hercules.

Located near the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park offers the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Pacific Coast maritime history through five National Historic Landmark vessels berthed here. Visit this link for more information.

The Thirteenth Stamp preview : Mount Rainier National Park

A stunning star trail photograph comprised from 200 images was previewed to celebrate Washington’s Mount Rainier as the as the thirteenth of 16 National Park Service Forever Stamps.

Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, spawning six major rivers.

Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits. Visit this link for more information about the park.

The stamp image is the creation of Matt Dieterich of Pittsburgh, PA. “This night was one I will never forget,” said Dieterich, who worked at Mount Rainier as an intern with the National Park Service Geoscientist-in-the-Parks to educate the public on dramatic views of the stars and the effect of light pollution near highly populated areas.

“After working with visitors at the Mount Rainier astronomy program on June 22, 2015, I noticed there was an aurora, so I drove down to Reflection Lake to capture it.”

The Twelfth Stamp preview : Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

An iconic Hudson River School of Art landscape painting linked to the Conservation Movement that supported interest in creating the National Park system was previewed as the 12th of 16 Forever Stamps to celebrate 100th Anniversary of National Park Service.

“This stamp exemplifies how our national park treasures extend beyond stunning vistas, wildlife, flora and fauna,” said Stephanie Toothman, Associate Director, Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science, National Park Service.

“Albert Bierstadt’s painting represents the convergence of artistic, literary and political attention toward America’s scenic beauty in the 19th century, which helped establish conservation as a national value and laid the foundation for the first national parks a century ago.”

The stamp image is a detail of Bierstadt’s (1830–1902) 29-by-43-inch oil-on-canvas painting “Scenery in the Grand Tetons.” The permanent home of the painting is Laurance Rockefeller’s study in the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion.

The Eleventh Stamp preview : Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

A water lily with a bloom the size of a basketball in Washington, DC’s Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is featured on the 11th of 16 Forever Stamp images.

The stamp image was photographed by Cindy Dyerof Alexandria, VA, who also provided the images from Kenilworth for the Water Lilies Forever Stamps issued last year.

The water lilies are a sample of the hidden treasures tucked away in this time capsule surrounded by urban neighbourhoods in our nation’s capital.

The original water lilies were planted by a Civil War veteran who bought the 30-acre parcel in the 1880s. The park’s wetlands also provide habitat for many animals including fox, mink and otter. Visit this link for more information.

The Tenth Stamp preview : Haleakala National Park

A stunning photograph of the late afternoon sun shining into a heavy rain storm, forming rainbows over the crater at Haleakala National Park, Maui, HI, is the 10th of 16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

Haleakala National Park vibrates with stories of ancient and modern Hawaiian culture and protects the bond between the land and its people.

The park also cares for endangered species, some of which exist nowhere else. Come visit this special place — renew your spirit amid stark volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rain forest with an unforgettable hike through the back country. Visit this link for more information.

The Ninth Stamp preview : Gulf Islands National Seashore

A photograph of a long-legged water bird with a wingspan that can exceed six feet was previewed on 14 April 2016 to highlight Gulf Islands National Seashore as the ninth of 16 National Park Service Forever Stamps to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

The stamp image is a photograph of a heron by John Funderburk of Hernando, FL. Whether you visit the seashore for a day or a week there are many activities and places to explore. Each of the seashore’s many areas in Florida and Mississippi offer unique experiences. Visit this link for more information.

The Eighth Stamp preview : Grand Canyon National Park

An iconic painting of one of the seven natural wonders of the world — the Grand Canyon — was previewed on 13 April 2016 as the eighth of 16 National Park Service Forever Stamps to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

The stamp image is a detail of a chromolithograph-on-canvas, “The Grand Canyon of Arizona, from Hermit Rim Road,” by artist Thomas Moran (1837–1926).

Unique combinations of geologic colour and erosional forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide and one mile deep. Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size. Visit this link for more information about the park.

The Seventh Stamp preview : Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

A stunning photograph of Glacier Bay was previewed on 12 April 2016 as the seventh of 16 National Park Service Forever Stamps.

The stamp image is a photograph by Tom Bean of Flagstaff, AZ. Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate forests, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site — one of the world’s largest international protected areas.

From sea to summit, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration. Visit this link for more information.

The Sixth Stamp preview : Everglades National Park

A setting sun photograph of pinelands and grasses in the United States’ largest subtropical wilderness — Everglades National Park — was previewed on 11 April 2016 as the sixth of 16 National Park Service Forever Stamps.

The stamp image is a photograph by Paul Marcellini of Miami, FL. Spanning the south Florida peninsula from Miami to Naples and south to the Florida Keys, Everglades National Park’s 1.5 million acres of sawgrass prairies, tropical hardwood hammocks, pine rocklands, mangrove forests and marine and estuarine waters provide habitat for a wildlife spectacle like no other.

Crocodiles, alligators, manatees, flamingos, herons and turtles are just a small sampling of wildlife that can be seen here. Visit this link for more information.

The Fifth Stamp preview : Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A dramatic photograph of the interior of Carlsbad Caverns was previewed 08 April 2016 as the fifth of 16 National Park Service Forever Stamps.

The stamp image is a photograph by Richard McGuire of the interior of the caverns. High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cacti and desert wildlife are all treasures above and below the Chihuahuan Desert ground.

Carlsbad Cavern is one of more than 300 limestone caves in a fossil reef laid down by an inland sea 240 million to 280 million years ago. Visit this link for more information.

The Fourth Stamp preview : Bandelier National Monument, NM

A 1930s painting by renowned artist Helmuth Naumer depicting the Pueblo Revival-style visitor center at Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos, NM, was previewed on 07 April 2016 as the fourth of 16 National Park Service Forever Stamps.

The stamp image is a 1935–1936 pastel-on-paper depiction by Helmuth Naumer, Sr. (1907–1990) of the visitor center in Frijoles Canyon. Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged, beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back more than 11,000 years.

Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities. Visit this link for information on this national treasure.

The Third Stamp preview : Assateague Island National Seashore

Wild horses of Maryland’s and Virginia’s Assateague Island National Seashore were previewed on 6 April 2016 as the third of 16 National Park Service Forever Stamps.

A photograph by Tim Fitzharris of Fayetteville, AR, was used to create the image. This barrier island is a tale of constant movement and change. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays.

Bands of wild horses freely roam amongst plants and native animals that have adapted to a life of sand, salt and wind. Visit this link for more information.

The Second Stamp preview : Arches National Park, Moab, UT

The USPS on 5 April 2016 previewed the second stamp in its series of 16 National Park Service Forever stamps commemorating the centennial of the National Park Service.

The stamp image is a photograph by Tom Till of Moab, UT, and represents the iconic Delicate Arch. Delicate Arch is just one of more than 2,000 stone arches in a park that contains the greatest density of natural arches in the world.

The park is a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures with thousands of natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks. Visit this link for more information about Arches National Park.

The first Stamp preview : Acadia National Park’s Bass Harbor Head Light

A stamp image featuring a stunning photograph of Acadia National Park’s Bass Harbor Head Light was previewed on 4 April 2016 as the first of 16 National Park Service Forever stamp images to be revealed over a three week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

The stamp image depicting the Bass Harbor Head Light was photographed by David Muench. People have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history.

Awed by its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries donated the land that became Acadia National Park. The park is home to many plants and animals, and the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast.

Today visitors come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery. For more information on Acadia, visit this link.

About National Park Services

The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the United States federal government that manages all U.S. national parks, many American national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations.

It was created on August 25, 1916, by Congress through the National Park Service Organic Act and is an agency of the United States Department of the Interior.

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of US national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, they safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year.

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

More than 20,000 strong men and women give their service caring for the nation’s special places.

Information Source :
US Postal Service
National Park Service official website
Wikipedia NPS

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