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National Park Service Badges


Overview

Before the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916 and the introduction of the official ranger uniform in 1920, badges symbolized the park ranger. First used in the 1890s, badges represented the authority of rangers and scouts to protect wildlife in western parks. This exhibit explores the evolution and significance of badges in the National Park Service.

Man in an NPS uniform with broad brim hat and a silver shield shaped badge talks to a man leaning out of a car window.