Legislation · 1906

Antiquities Act

Championed by Representative John F. Lacey of Iowa and signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, the act authorized presidents to proclaim historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest on federal land as national monuments, limited to the smallest area compatible with their care. It also made it a crime to excavate, injure or destroy ruins and antiquities on federal land without permission.

“That the President of the United States is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated upon the lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States to be national monuments…”

Representative John F. Lacey (sponsor), June 8, 1906

Why it matters

Roosevelt used it to proclaim 18 national monuments, beginning with Devils Tower in 1906; presidents of both parties have used it since, and the scale of some designations remains a subject of legal and political debate.

Read the full text at nps.gov

Primary Source

The original record, reproduced or linked from the institution that holds it. Primary sources show what people said and did in their own words.

Subjects

conservation public lands executive power national monuments

From the library

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