ORIGINAL WPA NATIONAL PARK POSTERS

Petrified Forest National Monument. Circa Apr 1940

Although the Works Progress Administration (WPA) program undertaken by the Western Museum Laboratories (WML) created thousands of silkscreened posters between 1938 and 1941, only about 40 park posters and a couple of others are known to survive. They are rare and iconic symbols.

The poster for Petrified Forest National Monument (now national park) features large, petrified tree trunks lying on the ground with mountains in the background.

The poster is not one of the Ranger Naturalist Service designs, but it advertises a free guide and lecture service at the Rainbow Forest Museum daily, “every hour on the hour” from 8am to 4pm. The DOI seal (Department of Interior) includes discernible letters around the border suggesting US Department of the Interior, although the last word is unclear.

 

Only one example has been found. It’s part of the Petrified Forest National Park Museum collection.

 

Our sources of information, research and archival poster image included the Library of Congress, from the museum collections of the Parks, as well as from The National Park Service Archivist.

 

During the Summer of 2024, Buffalo River Co, worked with the Petrified Forest National Park to secure a new archival scan of their original poster, and surviving only copy from their museum collection. The Petrified Forest National Monument artifact postern was originally printed in April 1940.

 

Our Giclee prints are created to look like the original, as if you wandered into a vintage store and saw it hanging on the wall with an aged patina that only the vestige of time can impart.

 

We lightly restore and enhance the images so that their essence is evoked for display in your home, office, mountain cabin, or lake house.

 

We print the entire image as it was created many years ago. That means we also reproduce the artworks aged patina, subtle imperfections, and signs of aging.

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Heritage Prints FAQ

Heritage Prints preserves America's visual history through museum-quality reproductions of rare historical prints. We carefully restore and reproduce prints from the historic Buffalo River Library collection and other prestigious institutions, maintaining their authentic character while making them accessible to contemporary homes.

Each print carries forward its own journey - not a mass-produced replica but a faithful representation of American moments captured in time. From sporting life to rural traditions, these prints connect today's homes to authentic American experiences.

Our Heritage Prints honor the time-worn character that only decades can create. We preserve the yellowed paper patina, subtle corner creases, and marks and thumbtack holes where these pieces once hung - all elements that give historical prints their authentic voice.

Unlike typical reproductions that sanitize imperfections, we deliberately maintain these marks of time. The subtle aging, texture variations, and authentic patina make each Heritage Print a window to America's past rather than just a picture on your wall.

Each Heritage Print is made to order, ensuring exceptional detail and lasting beauty. Your museum-quality Giclée print arrives with a certificate of authenticity and origin story, connecting you to its unique heritage.

We use Hahnemühle fine art paper, an ultra premium 310gsm German Etching – 100% α-cellulose paper with a distinct textured surface. Its premium matt inkjet coating meets the highest industry standards for density, color gamut, and image sharpness while preserving the feel of genuine art paper.

Our premium water-based inks produce colors independently verified to last 100+ years when displayed properly.

Art that doesn't cost the earth. We believe heritage should be preserved in ways that
protect our future as well as our past. Our commitment includes:

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We begin with authentic historical prints from our Buffalo River Library and collaborate with museums and prestigious institutions to obtain archival scans. Our careful restoration maintains each piece's essence - enhancing visibility while preserving the authentic aged character that makes these prints special.

Our Heritage Prints look and feel like discovering an original in a vintage store - with time-earned patina that can't be manufactured. We print the entire image as it was created many years ago, preserving the artwork's character, imperfections, and signs of its journey through time.

Our framed prints feature sustainably sourced frames made from 100% solid Ash wood by a family-owned Vermont business. They handle everything from local log sourcing to custom frame production.

Frame specifications:

  • 0.75-inch face
  • 1.5-inch depth
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  • Acid-free backing paper
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  • Hanging wire installed

Our acrylic conservation glazing offers advantages over glass:

  • Optical clarity
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  • Safe for all environments

Note: This information applies only to Framed Prints.

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