In conjunction with C.H. Booth Library, Newtown Historical Society will host a program about the establishment of the National Park Service parks and its history on Monday, September 9, at 7:30 pm, in the meeting room of the library, 25 Main Street.

Walt Schweikert will take the audience on a tour of some of the 61 national parks and 417 sites administered by the NPS in a program entitled “America’s Treasures — Our National Park System.”

Unlike crowded Europe and Asia, the United States had large open land masses, and preservation of those sites became a priority. Just over 100 years ago, President Wilson signed the legislation that created the National Park Service within the Interior department.

Most people are familiar with at least a few of the parks such as Grand Canyon and other more famous spots and have probably visited a few. Mr Schweikert has visited more than 400 of the sites administered by the Park Service, as well as dozens of nearly 200 affiliated sites national heritage areas, trails, and river systems maintained by a partnership of the service and states and local groups.

Walt Schweikert has been camping literally all his life, going on his first trip at age one, though his memories of that trip are a little hazy. He continued the tradition with his own family, exploring everything within 500 miles of home.

Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Additional information is available at newtownhistory.org or or call 203-426-5937.