Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Activities of the Appalachian National Park Association and the Appalachian National Forest Reserve Association: 1899-1906

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  • Page 20 poses and such action as is now being taken by the states interested in the establishment of a national park, all pertain to and include such land within the boundaries shown on this original map. The memorial was presented to Congress on January 4, 1900 and was referred to the Committee on Agriculture. On April 17, 1900, the officers of the Park Association appeared before the Agriculture Committee of the Senate and presented the case of the Appalachian National Park Association. On April 21, 1900, Senator Pritchard introduced a bill praying for the appropriation of 1^5«000 for preliminary investigation. On April 26, 1900, Senator Pritohard's bill passed and became a law on July 1st. When the officers of the Park Association appeared before the Agriculture Committee on April 17th, they were flatly informed that Congress could do nothing with this Memorial for the reason that any action the federal government might take would interfere with states rights and the officers were told that before appearing before Congress, they should secure the cooperation of the states involved. The Committee took the matter up with the six states conoerned--namely, North Carolina, South Carolina, Gecrgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia--
Object
  • This 72-page journal recording “The Activities of the Appalachian National Park Association and the Appalachian National Forest Reserve Association: 1899-1906” was compiled by the association’s secretary and founding member Chase P. Ambler (1865-1932). The manuscript was created in 1929, the year Ambler donated the association’s records to the State Archives. The Appalachian National Park Association was formed in 1899 for the purpose of promoting the idea of a national park in the eastern U.S. Although housed in Asheville, North Carolina, the organization was a multi-state effort, attracting representatives from six southern states. The association lobbied Congress for the creation of a park, but with limited success. The association disbanded in 1905.