John P. Parker Special Resource Study

The National Park Service is pleased to announce the initiation of the John P. Parker House Special Resource Study. In 2022, Congress directed NPS to conduct a special resource study of the home of abolitionist and entrepreneur John P. Parker to evaluate its potential inclusion in the National Park System. Born enslaved, Parker purchased his freedom and became an abolitionist, conductor for the Underground Railroad, entrepreneur, inventor, and mentor. One of many African American conductors on the Underground Railroad in the decades preceding the Civil War, his significance is magnified by the fact that his role is well documented in local records and his autobiographical reminiscences.

A special resource study examines the eligibility of an area for inclusion in the National Park System. A potential site is evaluated according to four congressionally established criteria: (1) national significance, (2) suitability, (3) feasibility and (4) direct NPS management. All four criteria must have positive findings for an area to be considered eligible for inclusion in the National Park System. At the conclusion of the study, NPS will submit its findings to the Secretary of the Interior, who then makes a recommendation to Congress for consideration. Parks in the National Park System are designated by acts of Congress and/or through presidential proclamation

The special resource study will evaluate the potential for inclusion of the study area in the National Park System based on whether it meets congressionally established criteria for significance, suitability, feasibility, and need for NPS management. The special resource study may also weigh other management options for each study site.