Deferred maintenance in the National Park Service and preservation goals for the 2016 centennial and beyond

A tremendous multi-billion dollar backlog of deferred maintenance plagues National Park Service historic resources and infrastructure. This thesis examines the nature of deferred maintenance, its effect on historic structures, and recent federal government attempts to address the backlog. In light of the upcoming 2016 National Park Service centennial, recommendations are offered for higher quality historic preservation and cultural resource stewardship in the park service.