President Johnson added George Rogers Clark National Historical Park to the National Park System 50 years ago/NPS

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, dedicated to the successful ouster of the British from a fort on the banks of the Wabash River in Indiana more than 200 years ago, marks its 50th anniversary later this month with a day full of activities that could send some youths on to careers as park rangers.

At 10 a.m. on a raw February morning in 1779 the British garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of the Illinois country, had marched through freezing floodwaters to gain this victory at Fort Sackville. The fort’s capture assured U.S. claims to the frontier, an area nearly as large as the original 13 states.

On July 23 the National Park Service will look back on the first 50 years of the historical park. Ranger Jason Collins will present a program that tracks that history and how it has changed the George Rogers Clark Memorial and evolved its mission. This program is scheduled for 7 pm. on July 23 at the park's visitor center in Vincennes, Indiana. A reception will precede the program at 6:30 p.m.

Earlier in the day, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the park will mark its second annual Junior Rangers Series program with a focus on National Park Service careers. During the day, junior rangers will discover the different jobs that park rangers have in the National Park System. 

Along with being able to try on park ranger uniforms, those in attendance will be able to use some of the same equipment that rangers use on the job. They'll also be able to earn four unique Junior Ranger badges by completing different activity booklets. The booklets focus on the National Park Service Centennial, historic preservation, the park's activity sheet, and archaeology.

There also will be a scavenger hunt, and a giant National Park Service coloring sheet.

All events are free of charge.