National Park Service National Park Service Uniforms Breeches, Blouses, and Skirts, 1918-1991

Clare Marie Hodges, 1918, temporary ranger, Yosemite National Park. There are three known images of Hodges during her stint in the Park Service, of which this is the most common. It is difficult to distinguish in this photograph, but she has her badge pinned over her left pocket. NPSHPC - HFC/74-1934

Nine mounted rangers at Yosemite National Park, c.1918. Glare Hodges (3rd from right) is one of the first women to be hired to work as a ranger in a national park. Left to Right: Washington Bartlett Lewis, superintendent; Forrest S. Townsley, chief ranger; Andrew Jack Gaylar; James V. Lloyd; (?); Charles F Adair; Clare Marie Hodges, temporary ranger; Henry A. Skelton; George R. McNabb. NPSHPC - HFC#92-0006

Freida B. Nelson, woman ranger. 1926. Nelson was a ranger at Yellowstone National Park. This is probably the most famous image of Nelson, one in which she shows off the braces (suspenders) holding up her breeches. Her breeches show that even though her uniform is styled after the men's, it is cut on the woman's pattern. NPSHPC - HFC/WASO #70-53-1	Frances Pound. Permanent Ranger at North Entrance. Yellowstone National Park. Here is another photograph showing the A-typical coat worn by Pound. Photograph was probably taken around 1925. NPSHPC - YELL/130,378
Ranger Freida B. Nelson on horseback, 1925. Here is another image of Freida B. Nelson. NPSHPC - YELL/3606

Herma Albertson, 1929. These two images show Albertson at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park. NPSHPC - YELL/8043-7 (left), NPSHPC - YELL/130,095 (right)
Marguerite Lindsley, Yellowstone Park Ranger, feeding her pet antelope "Jimmie", 1926. She married Ben Arnold in 1928. NPSHPC - L.A. Nicholson photo - Yell/F.4016	Dinosaur tracks at Moenkopi: June [Hall - Ansel Hall's wife] and Polly Mead, 9-30-1930. Polly is wearing her badge and a set of USNPS collar ornaments on a civilian vest. NPSHPC - Ansel Frederick Hall photo - HFC/AFH#18
Women's uniform, c.Mid-1920s. The coat is of the standard man's style, but cut on the woman's pattern. The skirt with the row of buttons down the front is especially interesting. The uniform is being modeled by Susan Marcus. Courtesy of the Andrew Beck Collection - Photo by Andy Beck	Clara J. "Ann" Lausten, typist, Pinnacles National Monument, 1942. Lausten purchased some forest green wool and had a friends mother make her 2 skirts. Those skirts, along with gray men's shirts and an over seas cap were her uniform for the 3 years she worked at Pinnacles. She has USNPS collar ornaments on her collar and the pin on her cap is one that showed she had a member of her family (husband) in the armed forces. It was white with a red border and blue star in the center. NPSHPC/HFC#96-1350

Olive M. "Johnny" Johnson, guide at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, c.1947. Johnson is wearing the 1947 WAAC style uniform. Note the USNPS collar ornament on the front of her cap. NPSHPC - CAVE#86CAR	Louise Meekins, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 1970. Since the 1962 uniform change didn't appreciably alter their appearance, a lot of the women wore their older 1961 pattern dress until the 1970 uniforms were introduced. NPSHPC - Fred E. Mang, Jr. photo - HFC/WASO#70-53-3
Information Desk at Fort Pulaski National Monument, 1958. Receptionist is wearing what is probably a gray shirt with a bow tie. Apparently women's uniform regulations were still somewhat lax at some locations. NPSHPC - Jack E. Boucher photo - HFC#58-JB-195
Seasonal Park Naturalists and Information Receptionist on duty at the Headquarters Visitor Center, Everglades National Park. All three are wearing the 1961 pattern uniform. This color print shows that the USNPS was changed to silver (white) prior to the uniform change. NPSHPC - EVER	Park naturalist explains life of the marsh from interpretive display on the Anhinga Trail. Anne L. Bowes, Everglades National Park, 1964. The striping stands out clearly on her "Mae Hanauer" hat. She is also wearing the green plastic 1961 nametag, along with small arrowhead pin. NPSHPC - M. Woodbridge Williams photo - HFC64-EV-99T-W

Historian Guides, Independence National Historical Park, 1961. These three women were the first of the new breed of women interpreters, known as "Historian Guides." They joined the ranks of the other women in the National Park Service wearing the 1961 Pattern uniform. Left to Right Judith Rhodes, Margaret "Peg" C. Ciborowski, Ruth Friday. NPSHPC/INDE#12856

Anne L. Bowes, Biscayne National Park, c.1964. Bowes shows that even though trousers were not authorized for women, they were worn on occasions when needed. She is also wearing the arrowhead pin "in lieu of" badge. NPSHPC - M. Woodbridge Williams photo - HFC#64-BIBA-?-11

National Park Service Park rangers now serving at Walnut Canyon National Monument. Left to right: Art Clark, Tempe, Arizona; Bryan Pittman, Ackerman Mississippi, Kenneth A. Walker, Flagstaff, Arizona; James L. Ellis, Flagstaff, Arizona; Marion J. Riggs, Park Ranger (Archeologist), permanent employee at Walnut Canyon; Phillip L. Jones, San Diego, California; John W. Ray, Supervisory Park Ranger, permanent employee at Walnut Canyon; and Robert R. Buckner, Flagstaff, Arizona. Seasonal Rangers Pittman, Jones, and Buckner live at the Monument. Riggs is wearing the 1962 uniform with the green plastic nametag, small Arrowhead patch and small Arrowhead pin "in lieu of badge". NPSHPC - HFC#98-15

Camille Elias, c.1963. Elias is wearing the 1961 "airline stewardess" style woman's uniform. The USNPS insignia was embroidered on a piece of material, then sewn on hat. She is also wearing the Large Arrowhead patch on her coat which wasn't authorized for women until 1962. A lot of women had purchased new uniforms prior and during the new regulation period (1960-1961) and like their male counterparts, were allowed to wear them as long as they were serviceable, and since their duties were less strenuous, some lasted a very long time. Her hat is the second version (" Buffalo chip") that came out just before the uniform change in 1962. Many women updated their old hats by removing the USNPS and replacing it with the small Arrowhead patch. NPSHPC - HFC#WASO G.337A As these two images illustrate, there was very little difference in the appearance between the 1961 and 1962 uniforms, especially since both were made from the same material.

Miss Ceborowski, Independence Hall, Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia. Ceborowski is wearing the 1961 women's uniform. NPSHPC - HFC#98-17

An interpreter at Ford's Theater National Historic Site relates the tragic event that occurred there. She is wearing the 1962 version of the "airline stewardess" uniform. NPSHPC - M. Woodbridge Williams photo - HFC#98-18

Jamie S. Petitti with children at Platt National Park (now part of Chickasaw National Recreational Area), 1970. Petitti is wearing the 1962 uniform, but her blouse has a notched collar (1961?). She also has one of the ParkScape pins (1968-1970) on her jacket. This photograph was taken prior to the 1970 uniforms coming out. NPSHPC - Fred Mang, Jr. photo - HFC#70-175-7-26a
Miss Susanne Twight, age 23, Seasonal at Crater Lake [National Park], 1961. This snap shot shows her in the new 1961 uniform. NPSHPC - HFC#98-19	Olive M. "Johnny" Johnson, guide/nurse at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, c. 1960. Johnson is wearing the complete 1961 women's uniform. NPCHPC - HFC#CAVE 1830CAR

The Director's private "fashion show "
March 20, 1970

The new uniforms are discussed after the show. Left to right: Mary Joan Glynn & Irene Beckman, both with Doyle Dane Bernbach, Inc.; Carole Scanlon; Betty Gentry; Douglas H. Hubbard, Assistant Director, Harpers Ferry Center. NPSHPC - Cecil W Stoughton photo - HFC#70-78-4

Director Hartzog discusses new women's hat. Although it resembled the men's hat, it did not have the NPS hatband and was made of much lighter weight material. Consequently, it was not as serviceable and most women that wore hats with the new 1970 uniforms preferred either the men's straw or heavier "flat hat". NPSHPC - HFC#96-1340

"The Grand Public Unveiling"
Independence National Historical Park
Freedom Week, June 27, 1970

The crowd begins to clap as the models parade the "New Look" for women in the National Park Service. In the background can be seen the crew commissioned by Polaroid to film the fashion show for a feature on the National Park Service. Left to right: Marion Riggs; Elaine Hounsell; Carole Scanlon. NPSHPC - Cecil W Stoughton - HFC#70-256-2-26
Marion Riggs models the coat over her tunic and culottes, at the same time showing the audience how the scarf can be used to protect her head. NPSHPC - Cecil W Stoughton photo - HFC#70-253-6
Scanlon clowns around as Director Hartzog chats with Joan Glynn and some of the models. Left to right: Director Hartzog, Mrs. Garrison, Mary Joan Glynn, Mrs. Hartzog, Carole Scanlon. NPSHPC - Cecil W Stoughton photo - HFC#70-253-47
Carole Scanlon and Geraldine Bell pose for one of the better "Style Shots" that were taken during the fashion show. NPSHPC - Richard Frear photo - HFC#518001	The models line up for a group photograph beside the fountain. Left to right: Marion Riggs, Carole Scanlon, Louise Boggs, Inger Garrison, Ellen Lang, Elaine Hounsell, Helen Hartzog. NPSHPC - Cecil W Stoughton photo - HFC#70-253-53

The Southwest Regional Presentation
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Frank Kowski, Southwest Regional Director, insisted the new uniforms be presented to his region and Marion Riggs was selected to do the introduction. She made a stopover in Texas and gave a private showing to President and "Ladybird" Johnson before continuing on to the Southwest Regional Office at Santa Fe, New Mexico. After the presentation at the Regional Office, she toured the entire Southwest Region showing the uniformed women their new wear. The uniforms had all been made to her specifications and local employees her size were enlisted to aid with the presentations.

Regional Director Frank Kowski introduces the women at the Southwest Regional Office to the models showing the new uniforms. Marion Riggs is on the right. NPSHPC - HFC#70-308-2-3A

From the expressions on the women's faces, they apparently had mixed emotions about the "New Look". NPSHPC - HFC#70-308-2-15A

Gary Matlock with Hispanic and Native American seasonal guides at Pecos National Monument [now Pecos National Historical Park], 1971. The guides found the blouses and skirts of the 1962 uniform to be totally unsuitable for their duties, especially that of climbing in and out of the Kivas. Since the new 1970 uniforms featuring the pants were not yet available to the Park, Superintendent Thomas F. Giles authorized them to purchase these sand colored pants suits from the J.C. Penny Department Store in Santa Fe, to which they applied the Arrowhead patch and their name tag. These were worn until the new uniforms became available the following year. Left to right: Gary Matlock; Sarah Yepa (Navaho); Emma Plume "Pinky" Herrera (Sioux); Virginia Pecos (Navaho); Loretta Ortiz [Lujan] (Hispanic) NPSHPC - Fred E. Mang, Jr photo - HFC#71-371-1-

This female ranger is working with her male counterpart checking in vehicles at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, 1972. Uniform regulations must have been rather lax at this park since she is wearing the 1970 uniform, including hat, but has on a civilian style brown leather coat while meeting the public even though the uniform had been out for four (4) years. NPSHPC - Richard Frear - HFC#74-2004-23

The 1970 woman's uniform was well suited for duties required of a receptionist at a Visitor's Center or interpreting a building or fort like Castillo de San Marcos, pictured here in 1974... NPSHPC - Richard Frear photo - HFC#75-1513-110

... or even guiding visitors along the paved path ways of history, like this interpreter at Petersburg National Battlefield in 1974, but... NPSHPC - Richard Frear photo - HFC#75-1669-39

... they proved to be total ly inadequate for duties that required the ranger to work off the beaten path among the flora of the park, as Birdie Richards is doing here at Saguaro National Park in 1974. NPSHPC - Fred Mang, Jr photo - HFC#74-1593-2

An interpreter explains the history of "La Sibila" (The Prophetess) to visitors at Castillo de San Marccs, 1974. While not part of the regulations, she is wearing an apron to protect her uniform. NPSHPC - Richard Frear photo - HFC#75-1513-114
This interpreter is wearing the 1970 tunic with jeans. Tunic and "brown" jeans were authorized that year as a Class F uniform and although these jeans are the specified color, it can not be ascertained if these are in fact those listed in the specifications due to the absence of drawings or other corroborating images. NPSHPC - HFC#76-81-9	Cathie Cartwright, Fort Point (National Historic Site, 1974). This is probably a posed photograph since Cartwright is wearing her Class A uniform with a white sweater. It is interesting to note that she is also wearing the 1960 green plastic nametag instead of the correct 1970 brass one. NPSHPC - Rollie Hawkins photo - HFC#74-1769-8

These two photographs were taken when Mr. Joe Campanella, Star of TV Series the "Bold Ones" visited St. Louis Gateway Arch, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St. Louis, during the National Parks Centennial (1872-1972). Ruth Danielson and Doris De Marce are wearing the new "Centennial" dress and Superintendent Ivan D. Parker has on the men's "Optional Urban" uniform. Both were introduced in 1972.

Mr. Campanella receives a miniature of the Arch from Superintendent Ivan D. Parker. Left to right: Mrs. Ruth Danielson; Joe Campanella; Ivan D. Parker; Sandra Dove; Frank Joachensthaler NPSHPC - B. T. Ramsport photo - HFC#98-20

Mr. Campanella listens to the costumed interpreter at the Old Court House giving a spinning and weaving demonstration. Left to right: Mrs. Ruth Danielson; Joe Campanella; Doris De Marce; Charles A. Ross; Sandra Dove NPSHPC - B.T. Ramsport photo - HFC#98-21

As this photograph illustrates, there were some functions, such as horse patrol, for which the 1970 Woman's uniform was totally inadequate. This image shows a mounted woman ranger at Point Reyes National Seashore, California, in 1972, the year the Seashore was established. She is wearing a man's short jacket and trousers. The saddle blanket cover is also interesting. It is green and white with "NPS" in the lower rear corner. NPSHPC - Cecil W Stoughton photo - HFC#72-499-24

Dene Pritchett, Mesa Verde National Park, 1974. This poor quality photograph is the only image found showing the 1972 Woman's "small badge" being worn. It can just be made out on the left side of her blouse. This picture must have been shot just prior to the badges being recalled and stricken from the books. She is holding a "Johnny Horizon" banner. This program was instigated by the Department of the Interior to spruce up the country for the upcoming American Bicentennial in 1976. NPSHPC - HFC#98-22

A woman ranger wearing her 1974 Class A uniform, complete with hat, assists NPS Director Gary E. Everhardt (1975-1977) lay a wreath at the Lincoln Memorial during the Bicentennial. NPSHPC - Fred R. Bell photo - HFC#76-39-4-23

Three of the new 1974 green polyester women's uniforms. Left to right: Roselyn Grey - white turtle neck, tunic and pants; Linda Balatti - scarf with dress; Marsha Wood - white turtle neck, jacket and pants. NPSHPC - Clare C. Ralston photo - HFC#75-2097-25
Joan Anselmo and seasonal ranger talk to Ron Highnote, Audio Visual Specialist while manning the National Park Service Information booth at Union Station (train) during the Bicentennial in 1976. It is interesting that Anselmo is wearing the Arrowhead patch the right shoulder of her sweater. The Uniform Regulations state that it should be on the left. NPSHPC - HFC#98-23	A young interpreter in her 1974 Class A uniform relates the history of the Liberty Bell to a group of guests visiting the Liberty Bell Pavilion at Independence National Historical Park during the Bicentennial, 1976. NPSHPC - HFC#98-24

This young ranger is displaying the 1974 Class C uniform with skirt. NPSHPC - Clare Ralston photo - HFC#76-211-17A

This female ranger is wearing the 1974 Class C uniform, without the jacket. NPSHPC - HFC#74-1980fr16

Margaret Brooks, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 1980. Brooks is showing some young visitors what appears to be a compass. She is wearing the ranger parka. NPSHPC - Richard Frear photo - HFC#80235476-9

Rose S.N. Manibusan prepares her equipment for the first underwater survey to be conducted at American Memorial Park on Saipan, 1984. Civilian wet suits were used for work like this. NPSHPC - HFC#98-25

Susan Ford, Horace Albright's Granddaughter, adjusts her tack prior to patrol, 1980. Women were now authorized uniforms suitable for this type of duty. NPSHPC - Richard Frear photo - HFC#8027854510

Nancy Medlin, Denali Nat. Park [National Park], 1988. Medlin is dressed in the work jacket and jeans. NPSHPC - HFC#98-28	In this staged photograph, 1980, Vicky White shows a park folder to a "visitor" (Gretchen Fieker, also a park employee) while "VIP" interpreter Dale Barnett in period costume of a First Sergeant of Coastal Artillery looks on. White is wearing the hip length parka with jeans, along with a pair of "Famalari's", a popular shoe of the period. NPSHPC - Richard Frear photo - HFC#98-27
	Developmentally disabled visitors, ready for a hike through a Spruce-Fir Forest, receive direction from a Park Ranger. c.1985. Ranger is wearing one of the smock/pants maternity uniform combinations. NPSHPC - HFC#ROMO
Barbara A. Booher Superintendent, Custer Battlefield National Monument [now Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument], 1991. Booher, first female Native American park superintendent, is shown in front of an exhibit displaying photographs of Native Americans. She is wearing the National Park Service 75th Anniversary pin. Courtesy of Doug Struck/Baltimore Sun

Catherine Burnes and Barbara Dickinson (Hilton), Mount Rainier National Park, C.1943-45. Both are wearing the WAC style uniform and a man's hatband for a belt, as suggested by the 1947 Uniform Regulations. It's interesting to note that they are also wearing badges. These were not authorized for women at this time, but were left up to the discretion of the superintendent. Courtesy of Barbara (Dickinson) Hilton/MORA#307

Naomi Claypool, cashier, Perry's Victory International Peace Memorial, 1955. Claypool is wearing a Sequoia cone hat ornament above a USNPS collar ornament on the left front of her overseas cap. The white blouse is interesting also, appearing to be civilian style, made out of satin-type material with collar ornaments and arrowhead patch attached. NPSHPC - Robert J. Dodge photo - HFC#WASO-D-700

This woman ranger in Everglades National Park is wearing the 1970 pattern women's uniform. Her non-regulation soft white civilian hat, with arrowhead attached, is better suited to that climate than either the straw or felt flat hat. NPSHPC - Cecil W. Stoughton photo - EVER#71-119-45-7