Stephen T. Mather: Creating the National Park Service | For Artown at RPM

Jul 09, 2026, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM PDT

Reno Public Market, 299 E Plumb Ln, Reno, NV 89502, USA

Chautauqua presenter Steve Hale returns to Artown this year as millionaire Stephen T. Mather, creator and first Director of the National Park Service in 1916. Ken Burns called the America's National Parks “America's Best Idea” and credits Mather as the visionary genius and “obsessed” leader who created the National Park Service (NPS) in August 1916. NPS's first Director Mather invites you to come along as he unveils his extraordinary life's journey with a box of all- purpose cleaner that enabled him to create the U.S. National Park Service whose professional Rangers preserve educate, illuminate, and inspire all who visit our national parks now and in future generations. Mather's foresight continues to preserve the diversity and grandeur of America's landscapes, history, and culture that has grown to 433 units encompassing 85 million acres coast to coast from Arcadia to Independence Hall Historic to Yosemite National Parks. Steve has entered his third decade performing live costumed first person reenactments of pivotal American historical figures. He was invited to reenact Director Stephen Mather in Yosemite National Park at the NPS Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Theater for the NPS Centennial celebration throughout the summer of 2016. He has also published an illustrated book that celebrates Stephen Mather remarkable career.

This is an Artown 2026 event.