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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Big Bend National Park Ceremonial Pen
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Big Bend National Park Ceremonial Pen

Artifact IDMO 1941.12.18
Object Type Pen
Maker
Date1939
Mediumwood, paint, metal
Dimensionsoverall H 46 3/4 in x W 1 3/4 in x D 1 1/2 in (118.7 cm x 4.4 cm x 3.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionA giant fountain pen carved from wood and painted black and gold. A silver plaque attached to the pen has an engraved inscription that reads: ONE OF FOUR PENS / USED BY W. LEE O'DANIEL / GOVERNOR OF TEXAS / IN SIGNING S. B. 123 / CREATING / BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK / 5 -12 - '39.
Historical NoteThis enormous pen is one of four used by Texas Governor W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel to sign the Big Bend Park bill on May 12, 1939. The bill deeded the 800,000-acre park in West Texas to the United States government. Governor O’Daniel presented the pen to President Roosevelt on October 16, 1940. Big Bend Park became a National Park in 1944.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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