Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home!Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we’ll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites. Join us to learn more about a place that might be close to home, or in a destination you dream of visiting. Each hour-long program includes a presentation and opportunities for questions and answers. All Parked at Home programs are free and open to all. Hosted on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM (eastern) in March and April. Thank you to our partner, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, for supporting this program. To register for Parked at Home 2026 click here.2026 ScheduleMarch 19, 2026: Eugene O’Neill National Historic SiteDanville, California America's only Nobel Prize-winning playwright, Eugene O'Neill, chose Northern California as his sanctuary at the pinnacle of his writing career. While secluded from the outside world within the serene walls of his Tao House, O'Neill crafted his final and most memorable masterpieces. Through his innovative storytelling and unflinching examination of the human condition, O'Neill has left an indelible mark on the world of theater, ensuring his legacy will endure for generations to come. In this program, rangers will discuss the role of literature in shaping culture, from coast to coast. March 26, 2026 – Hamilton Grange National MemorialNew York, New York One of the most iconic and controversial Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton’s legacy is enshrined in his uptown Manhattan estate. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton took a particular interest in industrial development in the United States. Learn about the rise of industry from two very different perspectives, with a focus on Hamilton’s ideas and Samuel Slater’s early experiments in textiles in Rhode Island. Tune in to learn more about two complex figures who played a pivotal role in the country’s development from colony to country. April 2, 2026 – Cowpens National BattlefieldGaffney, South Carolina By January 1781, the struggle for American independence entered its seventh year. With British forces pushing through the southern colonies, it seemed as though the “American experiment” might end before it even began. When British and colonial forces met on South Carolina farm fields, the stakes were high. Join rangers from two National Park Service sites as they discuss the Battle of Cowpens, which is often referred to as the turning point of the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. April 9, 2026 – Frances Perkins National MonumentNewcastle, Maine In 2024, Frances Perkins National Monument became one of the newest units of the National Park Service. This designation recognizes Frances Perkins (1880-1965) as an important figure in United States history. Perkins was the first female Cabinet Secretary and the architect of the New Deal. Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including workplace safety standards, Social Security, and shorter workweeks. Learn how to plan a trip to the Perkins homestead in Maine and more about Perkins’s impressive career fighting for workers across the United States. This talk will feature a staff member from the Frances Perkins Center. April 16, 2026 – Effigy Mounds National MonumentHarpers Ferry, Iowa In the Upper Mississippi River Valley, there were thousands of sacred earthen mounds built by American Indians. During this talk, a ranger from Effigy Mound National Monument will discuss the cultural landscape within the Monument, which includes over 200 mounds in geometric shapes, as well as bears and birds. This talk will also discuss the continued use of the landscape, including the underexplored industrial history of the site. From a sawmill run by Jefferson Davis, to the web of logging roads and quarries constructed by laborers, the lands that now comprise the park contain thousands of years of human history. April 23, 2026 – Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical ParkMiddletown, Virginia Belle Grove Plantation relied on the labor of over 276 enslaved people between 1783 and 1852 during its peak as one of the largest farms in Frederick County, Virginia. Isaac Hite, Jr., historical owner of Belle Grove, fought in the War of Independence. How did he, his family members, and neighbors come to rebel against their king? A park ranger will discuss the Shenandoah Valley's role in the American Revolution and how the promises of an unfinished revolution influenced people who lived there, both free and enslaved, during the Civil War. 2025 ScheduleMarch 13, 2025 – Rocky Mountain National ParkClick here to watch the recording of this presentation.Rocky Mountain National Park is a land of extremes. The Park’s 415 square miles encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows, to glistening alpine lakes, to towering mountain peaks, the natural beauty of this portion of the Rockies is sublime. Join us as we discover the stories of the many animal and plant species that call this alpine environment home, and how such an extreme environment shapes this diverse ecosystem. March 20, 2025 – Saratoga National Historical ParkClick here to watch the recording of this presentation.In the midst of our War for Independence, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army in upstate New York. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surrendered his entire force. This first ever surrender of a British Army is one of the pivotal turning points in the Revolutionary War. Join rangers for a discussion of this battle and its ties to soldiers from the Blackstone River Valley. March 27, 2025 – Carlsbad Caverns National ParkClick here to watch the recording of this presentation.Carlsbad Caverns National Park is more than 2,000 miles from Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI. Located in the southeastern corner of New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns is made up of more than 100 caves. This is in sharp contrast to the Slater mill complex, which is home to a deep wheel pit, three historic buildings, and exactly zero caves at present time. Yet at both of these sites, tourists have been known to come from miles away, joining the bats that enjoy the climates each of these national parks have to offer. During this talk, a ranger from Carlsbad will share insider information about the site’s industrial, environmental, and social history, from guano mining, to oil, and other unexpected connections to the Blackstone Valley. April 3, 2025 – Valley Forge National Historical ParkClick here to watch the recording of this presentation.Patriots from the Blackstone Valley were involved in many critical battles and campaigns during the War for Independence. For much of the war, soldiers from disparate regiments fought together under a loose coalition. At Valley Forge, the 1777-1778 winter encampment site of the Continental Army, patriots from the Blackstone Valley joined soldiers from numerous colonies in their shared fight. At this place, they became part of a united fighting force capable of winning a war against a great empire. Learn about the contributions of soldiers from this region, and particularly patriots of color in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, while also getting an insider's view of Valley Forge. April 10, 2025 – Saint Croix Island International Historic SiteClick here to watch the recording of this presentation.The French landing of 1604 at what is today called Saint Croix Island marked the beginning of a continuous French presence in North America. This had lasting international impact on the North American continent and on the Passamaquoddy, the first inhabitants of the land. As the site transitioned from homeland, to colonial outpost, to part of the burgeoning United States, the landscape was dramatically changed. The site was home to a rich industrial history of logging, shipping, rock quarrying, and a plaster mill. Join us as we discuss the lasting impact of this site on the United States, Canada, French/Acadians, and Passamaquoddy, and what it means to be an International Historic Site To view past Parked at Home programs, visit our YouTube Page. |
Last updated: March 18, 2026