Vintage National Park Posters

Our pals over at the National Geographic Travel & Cultures site have just put together an excellent online package that looks at the current state of our national parks. The series of articles spans the history of the parks and National Geographic’s unique role within it, and provides updates on some of the major issues facing the parks, from environmental threats to budget shortfalls to cultural changes that have left the public less able to readily connect to nature. There’s also a number of wonderful classic photo galleries, as well as a gorgeous gallery of park posters that were commissioned by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to promote tourism during the 1930s and 40s.

This lovely blue number was a promotional poster for tourism in America, put out by the United States Travel Bureau in late 1930s. To buy this print and many other classic posters, check out Vintagraph, which has a great selection and surprisingly reasonable prices. You can see more posters after the jump, and view a complete gallery here.

[The State of the Parks]
[Vintage Park Poster Gallery]

Grand Canyon National Park poster, National Park Service, circa 1938

Old Faithful erupting at Yellowstone National Park, National Park Service, circa 1938

Posters courtesy of the Library of Congress