2024 Centennial Celebration, Park History, State History

Blazing a Trail Through History with Our Interactive Timeline

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Commemorating a century of New York State Parks, we are proud to announce an interactive timeline detailing our agency’s history:  Blazing a Trail: A History of NY State Parks and Historic Sites. 

A stereographic photograph taken at the Prospect Point observation area of Niagara Falls. There are multiple people who are standing in front of the falls, posing for the camera.
A stereographic photograph taken at the Prospect Point observation area of Niagara Falls. Image courtesy of the New York Public Library.

Beginning with the acquisition of Washington’s Headquarters in 1850, Blazing a Trail delves into more than 170 years of stories and milestone moments, divided into eight chronological eras. The timeline experience, showcased in a modern and mobile-friendly way, introduces important figures in the State Parks’ history and examines the social and political context of each era of our park and historic site system’s development. With our Centennial celebration already in full swing, additional eras will be launching throughout 2024, reminding New Yorkers that New York’s state parks are truly made for them.  

A color print of the Palisades cliff face, dating back to approximately. 1823. In the foreground is the Hudson River with a steamship and several sailboats. On the top of the cliff face there is a line of green trees. The sky of the print is a blue-grey with soft white and grey clouds.
A color print of the Palisades cliff face, c. 1823. Image courtesy of the New York Public Library.

The first era we’re sharing, “Laying the Foundation,” details the motivating factors behind the creation of the State Council of Parks (SCOP) and one of the nation’s first park plans. Covering the time period of 1850–1924, this initial era discusses the impact of industrialization, the role of philanthropists, and the influence of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in developing the 1924 Park Plan, as well as the philosophy of early conservationists. Learn more about this foundational era here. 

Headshots of Robert Moses (left), Govenor Alfred E. Smith (center), and Belle Moskowitz (right).
Photographs of Robert Moses (left), Govenor Alfred E. Smith (center), and Belle Moskowitz (right).

The next era, “Adopting the Park Plan,” explores the adoption and early implementation of the 1924 Park Plan. Detailing the five-year period of 1924–1929, this era introduces the instrumental early park leaders and takes a deep dive into the creation of parkways and the changing focus of parks from conservation to recreation.  View the full story on our Blazing a Trail landing page. 

A group of 6 men from Civilian Conservation Corps. Company 1251-c posing for a photograph at Newtown Battlefield State Park.
A group of six men from Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1251-c posing for a photograph at Newtown Battlefield State Park.

Follow Along with our Progress

Check back each month for new eras and more stories, including the Rockefeller commissionership and events of the recent past. Next month, Blazing a Trail will touch on the Great Depression’s impact and how programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps provided jobs during a time of extreme economic distress and built infrastructure that can still be seen at parks today! We’re thrilled to have you on this journey with us as we offer opportunities for New Yorkers to learn more about one of the nation’s first and largest system of parks and historic sites.

Click the above image to be taken to the Blazing a Trail timeline.

–Written by Jennifer Robilotto, OPRHP Public Affairs Assistant

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