John Muir National Historic Site

Volunteer Day is happening today as part of the annual National Park Week celebration. Join us in celebrating and thanking our National Park Service VIPs (Volunteers-In-Parks)! VIPs like Mark here share a little time and make a big difference for national parks and communities across the country. Explore opportunities to volunteer with the National Park Service at nps.gov/volunteer... Image Description: Male volunteer in uniform, face mask and cap stands on porch of historic Muir home speaking into handheld radio #NPSVolunteer #NationalParkWeek #NationalParkService #JohnMuirNationalHistoricSite #FindYourPark

There’s an App for that! One app, every park at your fingertips. The #NPSApp is the new official app for the National Park Service with tools to explore more th...an 400 national parks nationwide. Find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information, and much more to plan your national park adventures before and during your trip. No better time to download and start planning than #NationalParkWeek! Visit go.nps.gov/app

John Muir had many roles in his life, botanist, geologist, writer, and rancher. Today we celebrate his role as family man! April 14, 2021 marks the 141st wedding anniversary of John and Louie Muir! The two exchanged vows at her family’s home. Their makeshift altar was decorated with white Astrakhan apple blossoms. On March 25, 1881, Louie gave birth to their first child, a daughter they named Wanda. Five years later the Muirs had another daughter, Helen. She was born on Jan...uary 23, 1886. A few months after John Muir wed Louisa "Louie" Wanda Strentzel Muir, he sailed to Alaska to explore its glaciers. On the ship, California he wrote these words to his bride: "My own dear Louie; I'm now about as far from you as I will be this year---only this wee sail to the North and then to thee, my lassie. And I'm not away at all you know, for only they who do not love may ever be apart. There is no true separation for those whose hearts and souls are together." Image description: John Muir with wife Louie and daughters Helen and Wanda on the front steps of their Martinez home. NPS photo. John Muir NHS. JOMU 1732. #FindYourPark #NationalParkService #JohnMuir #JohnMuirNationalHistoricSite

We’re so happy to see visitors joining us to tour the grounds and the historic home. Please be aware that weekends have been much busier than expected, so wait times to enter the home can take up to two hours. As an alternative, we recommend visiting the site during the week, if possible. Please see our website for more information about visiting the park and safety protocols. www.nps.gov/jomu

One of the historic bedrooms in the Strentzel/Muir home. Can you imagine waking up in this cozy space as the warm sunlight shines in? Follow the link to learn more about the history behind the Strentzel/Muir home at the John Muir NHS. https://www.nps.gov/jomu/learn/historyculture/places.htm

Park Grounds and Historic Home Open for Visitors As of March 16th, 2021, the John Muir grounds and historic home are open to visitors. Operating hours are Sunday through Saturday from 10am-5pm. Social distancing protocols are place. Please contact the park for more information or visit our website at www.nps.gov/jomu

This photo of John Muir and President Theodore Roosevelt was taken at Glacier Point Yosemite in May of 1903. The 9th Cavalry troops, known as the Buffalo Soldiers, were also present during that summer during the presidential visit. They had a large impact on the foundation of the National Park Service and were even called the first park rangers. African American men known as the Buffalo Soldiers (as they were nicknamed by the Native Americans) served on the western frontier ...following the American Civil War. Congress passed the Army Organization Act of 1866, which allowed African Americans to serve in the regular army. Six all-black cavalry & infantry regiments were created that year that eventually began their duties during the Indian Wars. These soldiers were among the first ones to protect Yosemite, Yellowstone and Sequoia National Parks from poaching, wildfires, and built trails and roads. In the face of such racial prejudice, it’s even more remarkable that the Buffalo Soldiers served their country so bravely and selflessly First Image: Black and white photograph of President Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir stand side by side above Yosemite Valley which is visible behind them. Second Image: Black and white photograph of rows of Black male soldiers in uniform, wearing Calvary hats, many with bayonets in hand, pose for photograph looking forward. #BlackHistoryMonth #PresidentsDay #JohnMuirNHS #FindYourPark #NationalParkService

Have you heard about the Saunter Challenge with John Muir NHS? We're offering a new hiking challenge for the trails of Mount Wanda. We encourage you to get out and #RecreateResponsibly while having fun on the trails. The challenge is Junior Ranger friendly, so bring the whole family! Stop by the welcome table at the John Muir National Historic Site and ask a Ranger for more details, 7 days a week between the hours of 10am and 5pm, and don't forget to come back to the welcome table after completing the challenge to pick up your very own Finishers Pin! Happy hiking and we hope to see you soon! #FindYourPark #NationalParkService #JohnMuirNationalHistoricSite #SaunterChallenge Image Description: Female park ranger holding up bingo sheet in front of National Park Service trailhead sign for Mount Wanda. NPS Photo by Eduardo Chaidez

We have a great Latino Heritage Internship Program opportunity coming up. See the link for details. https://latinoheritageintern.org//historical-research-int/

Now that the California Stay-at-Home order has been lifted, John Muir National Historic Site is beginning to increase recreational access to park grounds We are happy to announce that the public will be able to access the grounds of the John Muir NHS starting on Friday, January 29th, 2021. Specifically, in this initial phase of reopening, visitors will have access to the grounds of the park. The grounds include the orchard, picnic areas, and Mount Wanda. For now, visitors wil...l not have access to the visitor center, Muir house, or the Martinez Adobe. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. Park days and hours are now 7 days a week, 10am-5pm. We will continue to provide updates on social media, as well as our website.

I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature’s loveliness. - John Muir Photo credit Herbert W. Gleason Colorization: Andrew Calicura... Date: 1907 Location: John Muir National Historic Site (Dog in photo is the 2nd Stickeen)

Born: April 21, 1838, Dunbar, United Kingdom Died: December 24, 1914, Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

On December 22, 1914, John Muir boarded a train in Martinez, California to visit his daughter Helen and her family in Daggett, California. Suffering from the grippe, as he called it, Muir thought time in the warmer climate of Southern California would improve his health. Unfortunately, his symptoms worsened, and after a doctor diagnosed his condition as pneumonia, John Muir was rushed 100 miles to California Hospital in downtown Los Angeles. Midday on December 24, 1914 J...ohn Muir took his last breath and set off on his final journey. John Muir was laid to rest next to his beloved wife Louie in the family gravesite in Martinez, California. "On no subject are our ideas more warped and pitiable than on death... Let children walk with nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life, and that the grave has no victory, for it never fights. All is divine harmony." Image: Dark gravestone, inscribed: John Muir Born Dunbar Scotland April 21 - 1838 Died December 24 - 1914 #JohnMuir #JohnMuirNationalHistoricSite #FindYourPark #NationalParkService