Inscriptions

Do the inscriptions in the Jefferson Memorial represent Thomas Jefferson's beliefs and philosophies? In this education activity for 8th-12th grade, students will compare an inscription in the memorial to an earlier draft, and to the original text of the Declaration of Independence. They will analyze how shortening or editing a quotation can change its meaning. To extend the lesson, they will compose their own suggestion for an inscription in taken from the Declaration.

Have you ever been misquoted or had your words taken out of context? In this introduction to the Jefferson Memorial Education series for 8th-12th grade, students learn about the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commission and are introduced to the selection process for the inscriptions on the chamber walls. Then they will begin to consider how editing a quotation can change its meaning. How does the design of a memorial affect how a person is remembered?

The inscription on the northeast wall of the Jefferson Memorial is a conglomeration of words and sentences pulled from five different sources. Does it accurately represent Thomas Jefferson's beliefs about slavery and liberty? In this education activity for 8th-12th graders, students will compare the inscription with the primary sources and analyze the meaning of the quote in context and then compose their own inscription. How should the memorial present slavery?

Learn how to examine petroglyphs and pictographs and their context in time and space.

Independence Rock was the most-noted landmark of the wagon trails west of Fort Laramie. The rock derived its name from a party of fur trappers who camped and celebrated Independence Day near the rock on July 4, 1830. Eventually, thousands of emigrants camped at the foot of this 1,900 feet long by 850 feet wide granite outcrop. They carved their names and messages into the granite, using Independence Rock as a bulletin board for Oregon Trail.

The Midden is the Resource Management Newsletter of Great Basin National Park, published each summer and winter. Find out the latest going on at Great Basin National Park, Nevada in resource management and research. Th Midden - Great Basin National Park: Vol. 22, No. 2, Winter 2022

For thousands of years, humans have entered caves and made their mark. From rock writing to historic inscriptions, these cultural resources capture a moment of the composer’s life. Such is the case for the more than 200 historic inscriptions within Snake Creek Cave in Great Basin National Park.

People in the past carved petroglyphs and painted pictographs to mark the cycle of the sun, moon, and stars; solstices; and the changing seasons. They tracked time by creating solar calendars that interacted with light and shadow as the sun moved across the sky. When unique astronomical events took place, they documented the moment in stone. Learn more about the purpose for these images.

This 0.75 mile (1.2 km) trail takes you to the pool and past hundreds of Spanish and American inscriptions, and prehistorical petroglyphs. The trail is paved and the main 1/2 mile loop is wheelchair-accessible with assistance. This is a great option if you have an hour or less to spend at the park. It must be started no later than 4:00 pm.

We do not advocate the use of shaving cream for investigating inscriptions on stone. The shaving cream has natural emollients for softening the skin. The emollients can stain the stone by penetrating into the porous material. Other ways to study hard-to-read inscriptions include the use of lighting and mirrors or water. A car sun shade or photographer’s reflector can be used to bounce light on to the stone from an angle. Raking light can help make a carving more legible.