Antiquities Act of 1906

This new display in the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center presents the Antiquities Act of 1906. It's the most impressive display dedicated to an act of Congress that I've seen, so I took a picture.

The Antiquities Act provides the legal framework for the president to designate national monuments - - without congressional approval. You can imagine that it stirs up some political challenges.

Carlsbad Caverns, like about one-fourth of national parks, began life as a national monument.

Photo taken January 2010.