The California State Capitol Museum, managed and operated by California State Parks, is featuring an exhibit about the diversity of state parks and its early pioneers, as well as how the system continues to evolve and promote environmental awareness while meeting the public’s demand for recreation, experiences in nature and preservation of cultural heritage.

“A Most Glorious Heritage: The Grandeur and History of California State Parks” officially opened Sept. 30.

This exhibit chronicles the rich history of the California State Parks system since its inception in the 1860s through today. With the collective help of a dedicated staff including more than 24,000 volunteers, California State Parks provides an unrivaled hands-on experience for an estimated 72 million annual visitors.

Transporting visitors to the “redwoods” of a state park, a re-created park scene transforms the State Capitol’s Archives Exhibit Room into the beauty of the outdoors. The v exhibit will include photos of California ’s most iconic parks, including state beaches, recreation areas, off-highway vehicle parks, state historic parks, and monuments. Movie and video clips, as well as oral histories from state park employees, will be featured on monitors.

Additionally, the exhibit will showcase the uniform of Harriet Weaver, parks’ first female ranger as well as information about various types of parks, ecosystems, site restoration efforts, historic preservation efforts and the important role California State Parks has played in the movie and film industry. The exhibit will also include a time line of the individuals, groups, activists, organizations, agencies and pivotal moments instrumental in the building and preserving the California State Parks system.

Planned in coordination with a one-hour movie showcasing California State Parks currently in development and scheduled to be released later this year, the exhibit demonstrates the vision and collective commitment it has taken over time to build the California State Parks system.

The “A Most Glorious Heritage: The Grandeur and History of State Parks” exhibit is located in the Archives Exhibit Room (Room 105) of the State Capitol Museum, and will remain on display through Sept. 1, 2011.

The California State Capitol Museum is managed and operated by California State Parks under contract to and supported by the California State Legislature. Open daily from 9am to 5pm for guided and self-guided tours of the Capitol Building and its extensive outdoor gardens, the museum is located in the California State Capitol, in downtown Sacramento on 10th Street between L and N streets. Admission is free. For more information, call (916) 324.0333 or visit the website.