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Southwestern Monuments Association
Born as a nonprofit partner for the National Park Service, this association helped bring the stories of Southwestern parks and monuments to visitors through books, interpretation, and educational support. Over time it grew into the organization now known as Western National Parks Association.
1 Audiobook
Island Trail at Walnut Canyon Walnut Canyon National Monument
by Southwestern Monuments Association
About the author
Founded in 1938, the Southwestern Monuments Association was created to support the preservation and interpretation of nationally important sites in the American Southwest. Early on, it worked closely with National Park Service staff and published guides that helped visitors better understand the region's monuments and cultural landscapes.
Historical accounts from Western National Parks Association say the group began with support for 18 Southwestern monuments and published The Guide to Southwestern National Monuments in its first year. Its mission centered on education, visitor services, and practical help for parks.
The organization later evolved through name changes and expansion, becoming the Western National Parks Association. Today it is remembered as an important part of the effort to connect visitors with the history, archaeology, landscapes, and cultures of parks across the Southwest and beyond.