Project overview: Uplift the Yosemite Museum’s centennial programming with the development of in-person and online exhibits to connect all visitors to Yosemite’s past, present, and future. 

How your support helps: The Yosemite Museum cares for over 5.4 million objects, specimens, archival records, and library materials. These resources help National Park Service (NPS) staff tell Yosemite’s stories, support research, and guide management decisions. As the museum gears up to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, staff hope to fill a gap in learning materials by developing an exhibit that celebrates and explains the museum’s past, present, and future.  

Featuring both in-person and online components, the exhibit will focus on museum collections — highlighting their importance and future — park history, and the connection between Yosemite and wider regional tales. 

In collaboration with the Mariposa Museum and History Center, NPS staff plan to create an exhibit that celebrates famous figures, including Muir, Mather, and Adams, while remembering to highlight the stories of people often forgotten. To ensure fuller representation, the exhibit will share tales of Chris Brown, Chiura Obata, Althea Roberson, George Monroe, and others. By showcasing a variety of people and stories, NPS staff hope to reach more people and develop an exhibit that creates a sense of belonging among all visitors. 

This year: In 2025, support from Yosemite Conservancy donors will honor the Yosemite Museum with the development of in-person and online exhibits highlighting museum collections, park history, and Yosemite’s wider impact. 

Project partners: Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Conservancy, and Mariposa Museum and History Center