Eisenhower National Historic Site

02/09/2026

On September 2, 1945, World War II officially came to an end when Japan signed the surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The day became known as Victory over Japan Day, or V-J Day.

The World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., features 24 bronze bas-relief panels illustrating the war effort, including scenes capturing the celebrations of V-J Day. The final panel depicts jubilant crowds celebrating the end of the war, including a scene reminiscent of the iconic gatherings in New York’s Times Square following President Harry S Truman’s announcement of Japan’s surrender.

NPS Photo

02/09/2026

Yeah, yeah. It’s still early. But leaf-changing season will be here before you know it. Are you wearing a carved pumpkin on your head yet? Is that pumpkin spice? No? Give it time.

While we’re here, autumn is a great time to visit national parks. From September through December, depending on the climate and conditions, forests, woodlands, shrublands, and grasslands can put on spectacular displays of color.

Before you venture out, check the park’s website for current conditions, weather, road and trail information, closures, rules, and other trip-planning advice. Because the leaves may be changing, but the need to plan ahead remains evergreen.

01/09/2026

“Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!" - Ms. Frizzle

Seat belts, everyone! School is back in session for many. As we always say, national parks are America’s biggest classrooms. Take your students beyond your classroom with lesson plans, in-park and virtual learning experiences, and teacher training designed to spark a little curiosity, discovery, and adventure.

P.S. While on a park field trip, your bus won’t literally be shrinking, going into space, or taking a detour through a grizzly bear’s digestive system. Which is probably for the best. We imagine the permission slip for that sort of excursion would be several pages long, with boxes for “Yes,” “No,” and “I understand the bear may eat the bus.”

The good news is your class can still dive deep into those topics, and plenty more, at a national park. The bus can remain reassuringly bus-sized and, most importantly, uneaten.

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

NPS Photo

31/08/2026

World War II Across America’s National Parks: An Introduction

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, we embrace the story of America from our founding to today. National parks help preserve many chapters of that story, including one of the most defining events of the 20th century: World War II. Sixteen million Americans served under arms, more than 400,000 were killed, and countless millions more supported the war effort at home. The war touched every part of American society, and little was left unchanged—including national parks.

For the next 16 weeks, leading up to the 85th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the National Park Service will take you across the country to explore America's experience in World War II through the lens of national parks. These sites preserve different parts of America's wartime story, including both triumphs and tragedies. This list of parks is by no means exclusive, nor are the stories that will be shared. They represent just a fraction of the war's impact on our parks and the nation, with many of those impacts still felt today.

To follow the series, use . Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, a new park will share its story and point you to the next stop in the journey.

The series begins here at .

Image Caption: WWII enlisted visit Grand Canyon National Park.
Image Credit: NPS/Emily Welch

31/08/2026

Search and recovery efforts continue following the flooding in Grand Canyon National Park. One body has been recovered and recovery operations for a second body are currently underway. Preliminary assessments indicate approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged or destroyed. Forecasted weather may affect the timing and pace of operations.

Visitors are asked to remain out of the closure area while search and recovery operations continue. Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch remain closed until further notice.

For current conditions and updates, visit: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

31/08/2026

30/08/2026

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED

The National Park Service is asking the public to provide information for more than 20 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for following a significant flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on August 29.

If you know of hikers or backpackers who were in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29, or if you had a campground reservation in the affected area, please contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB).

This includes people who may have been:
• Traveling the North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch
• Staying at Bright Angel Campground or Cottonwood Campground
• Traveling through “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch

📞 NPS ISB Tip Line: 888-653-0009
📧 Email: [email protected]

Please provide any information you have, including a person’s name, approximate location, travel plans, group size, clothing or backpack description, or when they were last known to be in the area. You do not have to provide your name.

Full news release: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-assistance-requested-to-account-for-individuals-following-grand-canyon-flash-flood.htm

30/08/2026

Calling all explorers, curious minds, budding historians, wildlife watchers, and future park protectors!

Today is National Junior Ranger Day, a chance for kids of all ages to learn, explore, and discover the stories, science, history, and wildlife that make national parks special.

Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, complete the activities, talk with a ranger, ask questions, and earn your badge. You might even discover something you didn’t expect. That’s part of the adventure.

Because caring for special places starts with understanding why they matter. We’ll see you out there!

29/08/2026

National Park Week rolls on…

Jessica Bowron, NPS Comptroller Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Director, joined National Capital Parks East staff and community members to celebrate National Park Week and experience some of the many ways visitors connect with these parks.

At Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, she toured the home of statesman and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, whose life and legacy continue to inspire generations. She also stopped by Anacostia Park to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Late Skate at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion—NPS’s only roller-skating rink—and enjoy a longtime community tradition that brings people together through music, movement and outdoor fun.

From preserving and sharing stories of American history to maintaining places where communities can gather, recreate and enjoy the outdoors, dedicated employees at National Capital Parks East and across the National Park Service make these experiences possible. They work on the front lines and behind the scenes to care for our parks, protect their stories and ensure these special places remain welcoming and accessible to all.


NPS Photos/Lubanovich

21/08/2026

On August 21, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower welcomed Hawaii into the Union as the nation’s 50th state. Hawaii’s significance is far‑reaching—from its eight national park units to pop‑culture classics like Magnum P.I., to being the birthplace of President Barack Obama.

Spanning the Islands’ first Polynesian settlement to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor to the vibrant culture of the modern day, Hawaii’s story is one of resilience, diversity, and deep cultural heritage.

On August 21, 1959, Hawaii officially became the 50th state.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower marked the occasion with a proclamation welcoming Hawaii into the Union, following decades of debate over Hawaii's political status and Congressional passage of the Hawaii Admission Act earlier that year.

Sixty-seven years later, Hawaii Statehood Day offers an opportunity to explore this chapter of Eisenhower's presidency and a consequential moment in U.S. history.

Join us at Eisenhower National Historic Site for a special pop-up program exploring Eisenhower's role in Hawaii's admission to the Union and the story behind the nation's 50th state.

(Eisenhower Presidential Library Image: Vice President Richard Nixon, President Dwight Eisenhower, and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn at the admission of Hawaii to the Union on August 21, 1959)

21/08/2026

is August 22-30! Join us as we celebrate America's story across the National Park Service.

Visitors to Eisenhower National Historic Site can explore the grounds, enjoy a ranger-guided tour and celebrate National Junior Ranger Day with us on Sunday, August 30 with hands-on activities for young learners and their families!

Explore National Park Week events near you by visiting: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/national-park-week.htm

12/08/2026

Last, but certainly not least, meet Grace!

"Hi, my name is Grace, and I am one of the summer interns here at the Eisenhower National Historic Site! This summer, I am giving house tours of the Eisenhowers’ home, engaging with visitors, and doing various projects. Some projects I have been working on include building a pop-up about the Interstate Highway System, writing people pages on D-Day casualties buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery, and creating a sign for the Show Barn. This work is important because it gives me the opportunity to educate visitors about the Eisenhowers and bring their story to life. It is amazing to see how interested people are in the site and the Eisenhowers, as well as all the connections they make to them. When giving tours and staffing the interstate pop-up, I have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Just like Ike, I love history, and I enjoy sharing his story with others. I hope visitors take away Ike’s love of history as well by sharing what they learned and visiting other historic sites."

11/08/2026

The 2026 WWII Weekend event schedule is now live on our park website. Check it out and plan your visit at: https://www.nps.gov/eise/world-war-ii-weekend.htm

We hope to see you there!

07/08/2026

Next up, meet our resident golfer and future educator, Owen!

"Hello folks! My name is Owen, and I'm an intern here at the Eisenhower National Historic Site. While working here I enjoy leading house tours and teahouse talks. My favorite projects have involved Ike's love of golf, namely his impact on the sport. I've completed multiple projects and developed my teahouse talk. Something that surprised me while working here is how down to earth and relatable Ike and Mamie were. I learned who the Eisenhower's were as people, their personalities, interests, and more."

While Owen's summer at the farm is coming to a close, we know his journey of service is just beginning!

04/08/2026

Hi! My name is Emmy and this summer I had the privilege of interning at the Eisenhower National Historic Site.

One thing that was reinforced for me during my internship is how important this work is. We are public servants and stewards of this land and history. Our job is to educate people about important individuals, such as Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower, and preserve the land and home they owned while allowing people to enjoy and partake in them. There’s no other job in the world that feels quite this. It's been very fulfilling and rewarding.

I have so much respect for General Eisenhower. The more I learn about him, the more I like Ike and want to tell others what I’ve learned. I love giving house tours and answering questions. My day is made when I hear a visitor make a connection that I was trying to help them make. I hope visitors take away that even though the Eisenhowers are so incredibly important in our history, they are also relatable to us. They had the same hopes and dreams we do, but they also had a fair share of disappointments in their lives. They also ate dinner in front of the TV, which seems pretty relatable to me.

I loved interning here this summer, and I hope more people will visit the site to see why we like Ike!

31/07/2026

It's time to meet our interns! Every year, students from all over the country travel to Gettysburg to spend a summer with our team and bring visitors closer to the Eisenhower story. First up is Anna!

My name is Anna and I am a summer intern for the Eisenhower National Historic Site. My favorite program to give are farm walks, which are hour-long walking tours of the grounds, and I love answering questions from my tour groups. My favorite projects are ones that involve America's 250th Anniversary. This included finding WWII-era posters that also referenced the American Revolution, how the Eisenhowers celebrated the Fourth of July, and how Mamie celebrated the Bicentennial in 1976. Something that surprised me was the variety of ways the Eisenhowers impacted our history and how park staff and visitors connect in so many different ways. I hope visitors of the site take away an interest in learning more about history and a desire to keep exploring the National Park system.

Anna's season with us is wrapping up soon, and we are so thankful for her hard work and all of the joy she brought to the site this summer! Thank you, Anna!

18/07/2026

Tours of the Eisenhower home will take place as regularly scheduled today, Saturday July 18. Due to "unhealthy" air quality levels, tours will meet and begin in the Eisenhower NHS Welcome Center.

The 1 PM Ranger Guided tour of WWII Burial Sites in Gettysburg National Cemetery will also take place today as regularly scheduled.

(ENHS Photo: Ike and Mamie standing behind their Gettysburg home)

17/07/2026

Alert: Due to HVAC issues, tours of the Eisenhower home are canceled for today, Friday July 17. Outdoor programming is rescheduled to the Eisenhower NHS Welcome Center due to "Very Unhealthy" air quality levels.

The grounds of Eisenhower NHS remain open for visitation. Please exercise caution while visiting due to "Very Unhealthy" air quality levels.

16/07/2026

Alert: Due to HVAC issues and a heat index above 103 inside the Eisenhower home, the remaining tours of the Eisenhower home are canceled for today, Thursday July 16. This cancelation takes effect starting at 2 pm.

The grounds of Eisenhower NHS remain open for visitation.