Department of History

The national parks spring from an idea as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence and just as radical: that the most precious portions of the land should be preserved, not for royalty or the rich but for everyone, for all time. Here are the stories of those magnificent places and the unforgettable people who who kept them from destruction - stories of struggle and conflict, stirring adventure and enduring inspiration, set against a backdrop of stunning beauty and grandeur. Nearly a decade in the making, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, a six-part documentary series from acclaimed filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, is a breathtaking journey through the nation's most spectacular landscapes and a celebration of the people - famous and unknown - who fought to save them for future generations to treasure.