Mammoth Site Officially Designated as Waco Mammoth National Monument
WACO, Texas (July 10, 2015) -- Today’s designation by President Obama of the Waco Mammoth Site as one of the nation’s newest national monuments culminates the efforts of the City of Waco, Baylor University and the Waco Mammoth Foundation to receive this important designation by the National Park Service. An official dedication ceremony is being planned later this month.
(Read the Department of the Interior News Release.)
Today, members of the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department are installing the official National Park Service signage. The NPS arrowheads are being mounted on the main entry sign to greet visitors as they arrive, and parking lot poles will feature NPS light pole banners. Additional banners will be displayed at the visitor center, dig shelter and at exit gates.
Below are quotes from some of those who diligently worked to bring this special designation to Waco:
Waco Mayor Malcolm Duncan, Jr.
“We are very grateful to the President for taking the initiative in using the Antiquities Act. We are also appreciative of the support throughout the process of Congressman Flores and Senator Cornyn and their staff. We join our anchor partner Baylor University in thanking all of the community members who have been so instrumental in bringing us to the point of the arrowhead. Thanks to Molly Ross, Russ Whitlock and Director Jarvis. Many thanks to our Parks and Rec and legal teams who made all of the details fit.”
Ken Starr, President and Chancellor of Baylor University
“This is an exciting day for our community and the great state of Texas and one we have been anticipating for many years. Today’s announcement from Washington, D.C., designating the Waco Mammoth Site as a National Monument is a testament to the invaluable partnership between the City of Waco, Baylor University and the National Park Service. With this designation, these partners – working together in shared purpose and dedication – will preserve and protect the discoveries of the site while ensuring continued scientific investigation and visitor enjoyment of these paleontological resources.”
Gayle Lacy, President of the Mammoth Foundation
“Waco is thrilled to be on the National Park Service map. We have proudly preserved the Mammoth Site in hopes of sharing it with all Americans as a national park site. Now the story of the only nursery herd of Columbian Mammoth fossils will have a clear place in our national history. It will also be a boom to our local economy.”
Gloria Young, Secretary/Treasurer of the Waco Mammoth Foundation
“I am absolutely elated that this has happened in my lifetime. So many of our citizens have worked long and hard to protect these bones and to have this NPS designation. It is something great for Waco, our area and our state.”
Tommye Lou Davis, Vice President of the Waco Mammoth Foundation board and Chief of Staff to the President at Baylor University
“It is very gratifying, knowing just how hard the community has worked for more than a decade, to see our collective labor result in an extraordinary national designation for the Waco Mammoth Site. We are planning a public celebration in the near future and look forward to commemorating the Waco Mammoth National Monument with our wonderfully supportive community.”
Ellie Caston, Ph.D., Director of the Mayborn Museum and Senior Lecturer in Museum Studies at Baylor University
“The Mayborn Museum Complex is thrilled about the National Park designation and all that it will mean for Central Texas. We look forward to continued collaboration with the City of Waco and the National Park Service on the new Waco Mammoth National Monument. We will continue to provide care for the collection by housing the bone material and associated documentation but now as a repository for the National Park Service. The museum is fortunate to play a role in protecting this unique discovery.”