Manzanar National Historic Site

Current Events

April 28, 2012
43rd Pilgrimage to Manzanar
The annual pilgrimage is sponsored by the Manzanar committee, a nonprofit education group. There will be a reception on the afternoon of April 27, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Eastern California Museum. The Pilgrimage program located at Manzanar is scheduled for April 28, 2012 12:00pm. View more information about the Manzanar Pilgrimage.

 

Manzanar War Relocation Center

When most people think of National Park Service areas, they think of Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon, and many other large natural parks. However, the National Park Service is also the steward of important historic and cultural sites throughout the United States. These places tell the story of our nation, its history, and its people.

Just five miles south of Independence, along U.S. Hwy. 395, lies Manzanar National Historic Site. Established by Congress in 1992, Manzanar National Historic Site tells the stories of the relocation of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans and their immigrant parents during World War II. Manzanar was the first of ten relocation centers built for Japanese Americans excluded from the West Coast by Executive Order 9066 in early 1942. In operation from 1942-45, Manzanar War Relocation Center had a peak population of more than 10,000 people, two-thirds of whom were American citizens by birth. With nearly 800 buildings, Manzanar was the largest wartime city between Los Angeles and Reno, but this city was encircled by barbed wire and guard towers. All wooden barracks and other structures (except the auditorium) were removed after the end of the war; some are still in use as motels, apartments, meeting rooms and garages throughout the Owens Valley.

Today, the most obvious physical remains of the camp era are the two stone sentry posts and the large auditorium visible from Hwy 395. Venture into the site, and you will discover that there is much more than initially meets the eye; foundations, trees, gardens, and rock alignments remain throughout what was the one square mile housing area.

The camp cemetery, with its original monument, is located on the west side of the site and serves as the location of the Manzanar Pilgrimage held on the last Saturday of April each year.
View more information about the Manzanar Pilgrimage.

Visitors to Manzanar enter the Site the same way as those who came to live at the relocation center. The entrance to the Manzanar National Historic Site is through the original gate with its sentry post and guard house. The roadway on the site is one-way and travels on many of the original streets. The first stop at the site is the historic Manzanar High School Auditorium, which is now the site's Interpretive Center. The Center has exhibits of the history of the Site and an introductory film. The Manzanar History Association Store located in the Center has a wide selection of books for all ages on the history of the site, its era and its significance. Also available are numerous period and cultural gift items reflective of Manzanar. While at the Interpretive Center pick up the free self-guided auto tour map for a drive around the perimeter of the site when you leave. Interpretive programs are given by Park Rangers on a variety of subjects in the Center's theaters. Outdoor walking tours are lead by Park Rangers telling stories of the Site's history and its people as you explore different aspects of the Site. Check at the Front Desk for times and subjects of the tours. Also check the Manzanar web site for scheduled tours and other programs.

Many exciting changes have taken place at the site. At Manzanar, progress is measured by turning back the clock. The historic Manzanar High School Auditorium is now an interpretive center. The relocation center's perimeter fence and the cemetery fence have been reconstructed, and efforts to restore and maintain the historic orchard that dates back to 1910 are progressing. Future plans include the restoration of some internee-built gardens and reconstruction of one guard tower. A building similar to an original relocation camp barrack has been moved on the site, west of the Interpretive Center, and is being restored as part of a demonstration block. A sample of Manzanar's wartime appearance will eventually be reconstructed with elements of one entire block.

Manzanar National Historic Site also preserves remains from other important eras of the site's history. Elements of the town of Manzanar, an orchard community of the early 1900s can be seen today. Less obvious are remains from the centuries of Owens Valley Paiute life in the area.

The Eastern California Museum in Independence features photographs and artifacts from Manzanar. Once you have seen the exhibits, head down to Manzanar to experience the real thing: feel the wind, the heat, or the cold. Walk the streets, explore the blocks, and discover history.

Manzanar's Junior Ranger Program
Manzanar's program offers a great opportunity for children to interact with National Park Rangers, experience exhibits. Participants in the program will complete an activity booklet consisting of activities including a scavenger hunt, word puzzle, word search, mapping and writing activities. These activities highlight the Manzanar and Owens Valley history and introduce the peoples who lived on site.

Children who complete the progrm will earn a Junior Ranger badge or patch and certificate. Activities are targeted for children between the ages of 4 to 15. For more information on the program, please call 760-878-2194 ext. 2710 or visit the web site noted below.

 

The Interpretive Center is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call 760-878-2194, write to Manzanar National Historic Site, P.O. Box 426, Independence, CA 93526, or visit their web site:
www.nps.gov/manz

 

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