National Parks – Kat Long

New article on Smithsonian.com: Alexander Hamilton’s Wife Deserves Her Own Musical

by Kat LongArticles March 5, 20160 comments

For Smithsonian.com, I wrote a profile of Alexander Hamilton’s widow, Elizabeth Hamilton. Now a memorable character (played by Phillipa Soo) in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway musical “Hamilton,” Elizabeth was far more than a bit player at the founding of American democracy. After Alexander died in his famous duel, she founded and led New York City’s first orphanage, …

Lotus in Top Position in National Natural Landmarks Photo Contest

by Kat LongCommentary, Photos October 31, 2013October 30, 20130 comments

Kansas, who knew? Instead of the usual sunflowers, a striking photograph of American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) at dawn in the Great Plains is the top winner in the 2013 National Natural Landmarks Program Photo Contest. The competition is sponsored by the National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program of the National Park Service, which promotes conservation of sites …

Ellis Island Museum Reopens, One Year after Hurricane Sandy

by Kat LongArticles October 28, 2013October 28, 20130 comments

Artifacts remain in Maryland while repairs continue Ellis Island Immigration Museum, part of Statue of Liberty National Monument, will reopen to the public today for the first time since Hurricane Sandy submerged the island a year ago. Visitors will once again walk the halls of the former federal immigration processing station, which handled more than …

National Park Service and Royal Navy Agree to Protect 18th-Century Shipwreck

by Kat LongArticles, Video August 27, 20130 comments

I love it when my worlds collide in stories like this. The National Park Service announced today that it will protect an 18th-century British warship that sank near present-day Miami, under the terms of an international memorandum signed with the Royal Navy. HMS Fowey, a frigate carrying 20 guns, launched from the British port of …