John Muir and California

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Sponsoring educational programs about John Muir, including digital editions of all of John Muir’s published books, articles and essays by Muir biographers and enthusiasts, Muir geography, people important to John Muir, and many more

The John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, California was the home of John Muir for the last 24 years of his life. The 1882 home showcases Muir’s “scribble den,” where he penned many of his famous works, which have been heard around the world.

A small visitor center offers an educational film about John Muir from the perspective of his home life in Martinez, exhibits, and a small store featuring Muir books, t-shirts, and collectibles.

The NPSHistory.com website features a page about John Muir National Historic Site including a large collection of brochures, documents, books, and a timeline of John Muir. 

Three important documents relating to the National Historic Site have recently been created by the National Park Service:

Foundation Document Overview, John Muir National Historic Site, California (January, 2015)

Strentzel-Muir Ranch (John Muir Home National Historic Landmark Update  Executive-Summary (PDF)  (August, 2023).

Strentzel-Muir Ranch National Historic Landmark Nomination Update (December, 2022).
The property was originally designated as an National Historic Landmark in 1962 with the name “John Muir House (and Martinez Adobe).  National Park Service, “John Muir House (and Martinez Adobe),” National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings, November 26, 1962.  This update expands the NHL district boundary to include Mount Wanda and the Strentzel-Muir Gravesite as discontiguous contributing sites. The discussion of national significance is also updated in accordance with current scholarship, site documentation, and NHL guidelines. The amendment expands the analysis of links between Muir’s family and work life in Martinez and his conservation advocacy; brings attention to Louie Muir’s role in maintaining the household and supporting her husband’s involvement in conservation; and provides an up-to-date assessment of John Muir’s influence in the areas of science and environmental philosophy in the United States. Additional updates include a historic context statement summarizing John Muir’s role in the American conservation movement and an evaluation of comparable properties. Critical interpretations of Muir’s life and legacy are also incorporated as part of the significance evaluation and context. This includes discussion of race, class, and gender inequities of the time that were reflected in Muir’s environmental vision and in the movements he inspired.

 

The mission of the John Muir Association is to celebrate the life, share the vision, and preserve the legacy of John Muir through education, preservation, advocacy and stewardship, in partnership with the National Park Service at the John Muir National Historic Site.

The Association supports John Muir National Historic Site as a center for education and inspiration, to help others understand and appreciate the far-reaching legacy of John Muir.

In partnership with the National Park Service, member-supported educational activities include:

  • John Muir Birthday–Earth Day Celebration—A day of festivities in celebration of Muir’s life and environmental legacy.
  • John Muir Mountain Day Camp—A “Muir immersion” day camp that emphasizes history, ecology, writing, arts, and crafts as children explore the principles of Muir’s life.
  • John Muir Conservation Award—Since 1978, the annual award acknowledges individuals, groups, or organizations for their restoration, protection, or conservation efforts.
  • California Native Plant Garden—Installed in 2007-2008, this garden honors John Muir’s love of native plants and seeks to educate others on what to plant in their own garden.

The John Muir Center promotes the study of John Muir and environmentalism at the University of the Pacific and beyond. The Center sponsors a regular symposium on John Muir which has published the best of Muir scholarship over the years, as well as a regular newsletter, special publications, and courses and internships.

The Center was established in 1989 with the following objectives:

  • To foster a closer academic relationship between Pacific and the larger community of scholars, students and citizens interested in regional and environmental studies.
  • To provide greater opportunities for research and publication by Pacific faculty and students.
  • To offer opportunities for out-of-classroom learning experiences.
  • To promote multi-disciplinary curricular development.

 

Lee’s portrayal of John Muir has been presented in Yosemite National Park since 1983, to hundreds of thousands of visitors.  He has appeared in many documentaries about John Muir, bringing Mur’s story of adventure and robust connection to Nature to life. Additionally, his Muir presentations have toured worldwide to universities, parks, museums, wilderness and environmental organizations from Washington D.C. to Hawaii, from Japan to Scotland.

Lee offers six live performances based on Muir’s life, philosophy and amazing wilderness adventures. He also offers personalized performances and lectures, as well as audio CDs and a DVD of his presentations. He is the author of The Wild Muir, an anthology of 22 of Muir’s greatest adventures.

The John Muir Geotourism Center (JMGC) is a non-profit that inspires people of all ages to explore, learn, share, and preserve the values of the John Muir Legacy.  It’s current major effort is promoting the John Muir-Yosemite Historic Highway (California Route 132), and especially, the Mariposa County J-132 route to travel to Yosemite between Coulterville and Greeley Hill as a scenic, laid back alternative to the caravans of RVs, trailers and lead-footed drivers that can make Highway 120 a frustrating journey.   This alternative route to Yosemite follows the path that Muir took on foot in 1868.

The Muir Ramble Route provides information about the 310 mile walking and/or cycling trail from San Francisco to Yosemite, pioneered by Peter and Donna Thomas, which follows the route John Muir used when he first walked to Yosemite in 1868. On this site there are directions for following the route, as well as information about Muir’s original walk.

It’s not too late to restore this “second Yosemite” – the only wilderness battle John Muir lost. Although John Muir was unsuccessful in preventing his beloved Hetch Hetchy Valley from being dammed, his rigorous campaign resulted in the creation of an international environmental conservation movement. As he explained to a distraught friend, “The long drawn out battle work for Nature’s gardens has not been thrown away. The conscience of the whole country has been aroused from sleep; and from outrageous evil compensating good in some form must surely come.”

Restoration of Hetch Hetchy Valley will not only restore the integrity of Yosemite National Park, it will also resurrect one of the most ecologically diverse and scenic areas in our national park system – a twin of the famed Yosemite Valley, 15 miles to its south.

It’s time to return Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Valley to the American people.

Dedicated to the conservation of the John Muir Trail (est.1915) in honor of John Muir for people to enjoy for the centuries to come by caring for the wilderness, wildlife and waters along its path in the high Sierra Nevada of California. Among its projects is the restoration of the John Muir Memorial Shelter (aka “Muir Hut”) situated at the 12,000 foot Muir Pass.

In 1915, the year after John Muir died, the Sierra Club won passage of California legislation appropriating $10,000 for construction of the John Muir Trail, the first of five such appropriations. The California Legislature stated, in language originally drafted by Sierra Club Secretary William Colby:

Section 3. The trail to be constructed with the moneys hereby appropriated shall be known as the “John Muir trail” in honor of the late John Muir who has performed an inestimable service in making known to the world the wonders of the mountains of California. 

In addition to recounting this history of the origin of the John Muir Trail, this 2017 essay also addresses the question as to whether the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center in Yosemite Valley, not Happy Isles, the “real” Starting Point of the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park.

In 1955, Faire and Henry Sax purchased the crumbling edifice of John Muir’s old house, which had been gradually falling apart for decades.  Faire and Henry spent years renovating the structure, carefully researching the period furniture and the history of the house from Muir’s descendents.  In 1964, the home was made into the John Muir National Historic Site, and today is open to visitors, managed by the National Park Service.

This article, illustrated by Phawnda Moore, tells this story of how John Muir’s home was saved.

Summing up Muir’s legacy with the simplified statement that “the mountains are calling and I must go” can suggest that John Muir viewed nature as a mere playground. When he added, “& I will work on while I can, studying incessantly,” we see a more complete picture of Muir’s relationship with Yosemite. He viewed the Sierra with a combination of reverence and scientific fascination, but understood that its future depended on his efforts. Reading Muir’s writing carefully, we can recognize our continuing responsibility to observe, interpret, and celebrate the value of his “sanctum sanctorum.”The Conversation