Theodore Roosevelt and the Antiquities Act of 1906: Timely action and an enduring legacy
Subject(s): Antiquities Act of 1906 (United States), Archaeological Institute of America, Arizona--Casa Grande National Monument, Arizona--Grand Canyon, Babbitt, Bruce E., Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-, Cameron, Ralph H. (Ralph Henry), 1863-, Clinton, Bill, 1946-, Hermann, Binger, 1843-1926, Hoar, George Frisbie, 1826-1904, Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826, Lacey, John F. (John Fletcher), 1841-1913, Norton, Charles Eliot, 1827-1908, Parkman, Francis, 1823-1893, Pinchot, Gifford, 1865-1946, Richards, William A. (William Alford), 1849-1912, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Smithsonian Institution, United States. Department of the Interior, United States. Dept. of the Interior, United States. General Land Office
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Francis P. McManamon examines the origins of the Antiquities Act of 1906 that President Theodore Roosevelt and his successors used to safeguard natural and scientific sites across the United States. McManamon asserts that it was threats to ancient archaeological sites across the American Southwest that led to calls for greater government intervention, and he highlights the case of the Casa Grande ruins in Arizona. McManamon notes the work of private organizations, government agencies, individuals, and members of Congress, most importantly Congressman John F. Lacey of Iowa, who worked to save important sites before the passage of the Antiquities Act. McManamon traces the slow path to passage of the Antiquities Act, and he highlights its important text and provisions. He notes how Roosevelt used the act to set aside eighteen national monuments, and he asserts that Roosevelt’s actions, especially in regards to the Grand Canyon of Arizona, set important precedents for his successors, especially President Bill Clinton.
Two photographs and two illustrations supplement the text.
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Creation Date
2010-10-23
Creator(s)
Language
English
Period
Theodore Roosevelt and Public Memory (1919-present)
Page Count
15
Production Method
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
No permission is required from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to use items in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal collection for educational purposes. For permissions, contact William Tilchin at (516) 921-6319 or by email at wnt@bu.edu.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt and the Antiquities Act of 1906: Timely action and an enduring legacy. [October 23, 2010]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308433. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
McManamon, Francis P.. Theodore Roosevelt and the Antiquities Act of 1906: Timely action and an enduring legacy. [23 Oct. 2010]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 11, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308433.
APA:
McManamon, Francis P.., [2010, October 23]. Theodore Roosevelt and the Antiquities Act of 1906: Timely action and an enduring legacy.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308433.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 11, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
APA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
