Establishment of the Frances Perkins National Monument

President Biden used the Antiquities Act to establish the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, Maine, protecting approximately 2.3 acres of the Perkins Homestead. The National Park Service will manage the site and develop a management plan to preserve historic objects and interpret Frances Perkins' legacy as the first woman Cabinet Secretary and architect of New Deal labor and social programs. The Frances Perkins Center retains reserved occupancy and use rights for up to 25 years.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 103617

Impact dates

Dec 16, 2049
Frances Perkins Center reserved rights expire

Key directives

Secretary of the Interior shall manage monument through National Park Service
National Park Service shall prepare management plan for preserving historic objects and interpreting Frances Perkins' story and New Deal history
National Park Service shall consult with Federal/State/local agencies, local communities, NGOs, general public, Frances Perkins Center, Damariscotta River Association, Penobscot Nation, and Wabanaki Peoples in developing management plan
National Park Service directed to seek agreements with other entities including Frances Perkins Center for visitor services, interpretation, museum collections, and preservation
Frances Perkins Center reserved rights to occupy/use premises, complete preservation/maintenance/renovation, and store artifacts expire not later than 25 years after proclamation date
Lands withdrawn from entry, location, selection, sale, leasing, disposition under public land laws, mining laws, and mineral/geothermal leasing laws

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Establishment of national monument on 2.3-acre core area
Withdrawal of federal lands from entry, sale, leasing, mining, and mineral/geothermal disposition
Frances Perkins Center reserved rights to occupy and use premises take effect

Near term (90d)

National Park Service to begin management plan development consultations with agencies, local communities, NGOs, Frances Perkins Center, Damariscotta River Association, Penobscot Nation, and Wabanaki Peoples

Long term

Management plan completion for preservation, interpretation, and visitor services
Potential future acquisition of remaining ~54.7 acres if donated by Frances Perkins Center
Frances Perkins Center reserved rights expire no later than December 16, 2049 (25 years)
Perpetual national monument protection and interpretation of New Deal history

Risks & tensions

Frances Perkins Center retains substantial reserved rights for 25 years, creating shared governance complexity with National Park Service
Future donation of remaining ~54.7 acres is expressed intent but not guaranteed, leaving monument potentially incomplete
Management plan requires consultation with multiple stakeholders including tribal nations, which may create competing priorities for interpretation and access
Document notes racial inequities in original New Deal benefits, which management plan must address in 'complexities' interpretation