Explore

Eliza Homans' 1908 Land Donation Paved Way for Acadia National Park's Creation

Eliza Homans' 1908 Land Donation Paved Way for Acadia National Park's Creation

In 1908, Eliza Homans, a Boston resident, donated 140 acres of land around Maine's Beehive and Bowl to the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservation (HCTPR). This donation was made with the explicit purpose of preventing future development and was the first land contribution to the HCTPR, initiating a wave of subsequent land donations and purchases. Homans, who spent her summers near Bar Harbor, believed the land's natural features were too significant to be privately owned and needed to be shared. Her concern was that without preservation, the area might see commercial exploitation, such as a 'Merry-Go-Round.' Six years after her initial donation, approximately 5,000 acres had been protected, forming the foundation for what would eventually become Acadia National Park. Homans' land transfer included reservations, such as the right to shoot, fish, boat, and maintain a boathouse on the Bowl, and allowed the Beehive Mountain Aqueduct Company to continue using the pond as a public water supply.

Boston Woman's 1908 Land Donation Paved Way for Acadia National Park

Boston Woman's 1908 Land Donation Paved Way for Acadia National Park

In 1908, Eliza Homans, a Boston woman and long-time resident of Mount Desert Island, donated 140 acres of land, including the Beehive, the Bowl, and the south side of Champlain Mountain, to the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservation (HCTPR). This act marked the first land donation to the HCTPR and initiated the momentum for subsequent land acquisitions that would eventually form Acadia National Park. Homans, who spent her summers near Bar Harbor, believed the natural features of this land were too significant to be privately owned and expressed concerns about potential future development, such as a 'Merry-Go-Round' being established there. Her decision was influenced by her connections to other conservationists, including Charles W. Eliot, president of the HCTPR. Homans' donation included certain reservations, such as the right to shoot, fish, boat, and maintain a boathouse on the Bowl, and allowed the Beehive Mountain Aqueduct Company to continue using the pond as a public water supply. She passed ...

Seattle Shipbuilder Robert Moran Defies Medical Predictions, Donates Land for Washington State Park

Seattle Shipbuilder Robert Moran Defies Medical Predictions, Donates Land for Washington State Park

In 1905, Seattle shipbuilder and former mayor Robert Moran was diagnosed with a cardiac disease and given only months to live. In response, Moran sold his business interests for $3.5 million (equivalent to $126 million in 2025) and moved to Orcas Island. There, he acquired approximately 7,000 acres of forest, lakes, and saltwater shoreline. Defying medical predictions, Moran lived for another 38 years. Around 1910, he began efforts to donate a significant portion of his land to the State of Washington for a public park. This initiative faced bureaucratic hurdles, with the state initially lacking an agency to accept or manage such a donation. After several years of lobbying and legislative changes, nearly 2,700 acres of his land on Orcas Island were finally accepted by the state in 1921, establishing Moran State Park. Moran continued to be involved with the park, personally funding the construction of roads, trails, bridges, and other improvements.

Why Treasury Secretary Bessent's moves to calm the bond market haven't worked so far

Why Treasury Secretary Bessent's moves to calm the bond market haven't worked so far

Interest rates rebounded Thursday despite efforts by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to put a lid on longer-term borrowing costs

Morning Bid: Big, bad bond market

Morning Bid: Big, bad bond market

By Anna Szymanski Aug 21 (Reuters) - From the Editor I was reminded this week of the famous quip from Democratic political strategist James Carville: "I would like to come back as the bond market. You can intimidate everybody."

Dry Lightning Threatens to Ignite New Northwest Wildfires

Dry Lightning Threatens to Ignite New Northwest Wildfires

A potent Pacific storm is set to unleash dry thunderstorms across a wide swath of the northwestern United States this weekend, encompassing Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming. This weather event is particularly concerning because the lightning strikes are expected to occur with little to no accompanying rain, a phenomenon known as dry lightning. The landscape in these states is currently tinder-dry, making it highly susceptible to ignition from lightning. This elevated fire risk is amplified by gusty and unpredictable winds that could rapidly spread any new wildfires and impede firefighting efforts. The current wildfire season has already been exceptionally severe, with U.S. wildfires burning nearly 170% of the 10-year average. The dry thunderstorms pose a significant threat to communities, infrastructure, and natural resources in these fire-prone areas. Residents are urged to stay informed about local weather alerts and fire danger levels, and to be prepared for potential wildfire inc...

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts Established by 1966 Legislation

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts Established by 1966 Legislation

In 1966, Congress approved legislation to establish Wolf Trap Farm Park in Fairfax County, Virginia, which later became known as Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. This unique national park was made possible by the generous donation of nearly 100 acres of land and financial contributions from Catherine Filene Shouse, a 71-year-old prominent Washington arts advocate and political insider. Shouse's vision was to create a national park dedicated to the performing arts, a concept she first proposed in 1964 amidst a growing cultural movement in Washington, D.C. The park was designated as a location for performing arts, educational programming, and recreation, and it remains the only national park in the United States exclusively devoted to the performing arts.

Harriet Hageman Secures Republican Nomination for U.S. Senate in Wyoming

Harriet Hageman Secures Republican Nomination for U.S. Senate in Wyoming

Harriet Hageman, currently Wyoming's sole U.S. House representative, has won the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat. This victory sets the stage for a general election contest against Democrat James Byrd. Hageman, who received an endorsement from President Trump, successfully defeated four other Republican challengers in the primary election. She is now vying to replace the retiring Senator Cynthia Lummis. Hageman's campaign has focused on key conservative principles, including advocating for low taxes, protecting property rights, promoting domestic energy production, and implementing strict immigration laws. Her win in the primary highlights the continued influence of President Trump's endorsements within the Republican party, particularly in states like Wyoming.

How Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower Donated Their Gettysburg Farm to the Nation in 1967

How Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower Donated Their Gettysburg Farm to the Nation in 1967

President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, donated their 189-acre Gettysburg farm to the National Park Service in 1967, ensuring its preservation as a historic site. Eisenhower had purchased the farm in 1950, prior to his presidency, with the intention of it becoming their retirement home. The property held significant personal history for Eisenhower, who had first visited Gettysburg as a West Point cadet in 1915 and later served there as a young Army officer during World War I. During his presidency, the farm served as a working presidential retreat and even as a 'Temporary White House' during his recovery from a heart attack in 1955. After leaving office in 1961, the Eisenhowers made the farm their permanent residence. Mamie Eisenhower continued to live there after President Eisenhower's death in 1969 until her own passing in 1979. The National Park Service opened the property to the public in 1980, establishing the Eisenhower National Historic Site.

Laramie County Sees Historic Primary Election Turnout with Ballots Sent to All Registered Voters

Laramie County Sees Historic Primary Election Turnout with Ballots Sent to All Registered Voters

Laramie County experienced a significant primary election turnout in 2026, with every registered voter receiving a ballot for the first time in recent memory. County Clerk Debra Lee noted that this initiative allowed minor-party and unaffiliated voters, as well as those who typically only participate in general elections, to cast their votes. The voter registration in Laramie County increased by approximately 26% since 2024, reaching a total of 43,757 registered voters, and 23,325 ballots were cast. Republicans accounted for 82% of the ballots, which is the smallest Republican share among Wyoming's three largest counties. Democrats, however, recorded their highest primary turnout since 2020, with 3,000 votes. Lee attributed the increased participation to nonpartisan Cheyenne city council races and a series of county tax propositions, all of which were open to every voter regardless of party affiliation. Additionally, organizations like the League of Women Voters actively promoted participation in the prima...

Gillette Woman Faces Felony Meth Charge Following Motel Drug Investigation

Gillette Woman Faces Felony Meth Charge Following Motel Drug Investigation

A Gillette woman, Latasha Lebeau, was arrested and is facing a felony drug charge after police found suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in her vehicle at a local motel. The investigation began on August 14 when Gillette Police Department officers responded to a report from motel staff about possible drug activity in several rooms. A K-9 unit was deployed to check vehicles in the parking lot, and it alerted to the odor of controlled substances in a white 1999 Chrysler. Officers observed Lebeau leave the motel, get into the Chrysler, and then return to the motel after seeing the officers. After contacting Lebeau and searching her vehicle, police found five jeweler’s baggies, three metal spoons, and two glass pipes, all containing suspected methamphetamine residue. The total amount of residue recovered was 3.4 grams, which tested presumptively positive for amphetamines. Lebeau reportedly admitted the drugs and paraphernalia were hers and that she had recently used meth in the vehicle.

GOP Senator Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola Advance to Alaska Senate General Election

GOP Senator Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola Advance to Alaska Senate General Election

NBC News projects that Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola have advanced to the general election for Alaska's U.S. Senate seat. This development follows the primary elections, setting the stage for a direct contest between the incumbent Republican and the Democratic challenger in November. The primary results also included outcomes from Florida, California, and Wyoming, as well as a special election in California to fill the seat of former Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, who resigned earlier this year. The advancement of both Sullivan and Peltola indicates a clear path for voters in Alaska to choose between the two candidates in the upcoming general election.