Thomas JettThomas Sutton Jett
Cornelius Amory Pugsley Local Medal Award, 1963

Thomas Sutton Jett (1910-1989) received the national level Pugsley Medal in 1963 "for his leadership of the National Capital Parks Region of the NPS during a difficult period of expansion and growth, when many complex projects were undertaken." He was born in "George Washington country" Reedsville, Virginia. He received a degree in economics from the College of William and Mary in 1932. His intent was to follow in the career steps of his father and enter the banking field, but was not able to find a suitable job right away in a market squeezed by the Depression. Thus, he took a temporary position with the NPS -- and remained with the agency for 35 years.

He began his career with the NPS in 1933 as assistant historian at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. While in that position, he attended Johns Hopkins University where he did graduate work in American History in 1936-37. He then left Fredericksburg for a tour of duty at Fort McHenry National Monument.

His next assignment brought him to Washington in 1938 as chief historian for the restoration of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The restoration was accomplished with labor provided by the CCC. The 22 mile section of the canal had been abandoned in 1924 and purchased by the federal government for $2 million in 1938. Since abandonment of the canal operation in 1924, it had been filled with rubble, sediment and trees that had to be removed, and a wide towpath had to be rebuilt. Preparatory to the restoration of the canal, Jett, under the direction of the Branch of History of the National Park Service, made an extensive study of the history of the canal. When the government acquired the canal all of the original records of the canal company were deposited in the National Archives. By means of a thorough study of these original records, historian Jett was able to give expert advice on many phases of the restoration of the canal. The entire restoration of the canal was planned to be historically accurate. Upon its completion in 1940, Jett narrated the first mule-drawn canal barge trip along it.

In 1940, he moved to National Capital Parks as historian. In this position, he became "the voice of the National Monument" as his 1942 recording of historical interpretation subsequently was listened to by millions of visitors as they went up and down the elevator. Jett also wrote and produced the first audiovisual program on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln to be shown in the Lincoln Museum at the Ford's Theater Building.

From 1943-45, his career was interrupted by World War II, during which Jett served as a lieutenant in the Navy in the Pacific.  After the war, he returned to National Capital Parks as chief of the Division of National Monuments and Historic Sites. In 1950, he became a special assistant to the superintendent of the National Capital Parks; became chief of the Public Use Branch and of the Division of Public Use and Interpretation in 1953; subsequently was promoted to associate superintendent in 1958; and, finally, superintendent in 1961. During this period, Jett organized and selected the first NPS orientation programs for visiting school groups to the nation's capital. More than 200,000 students annually received information, talks and a motion picture on the city of Washington D.C. to make their visit more enjoyable and inspiring.
 
With the reorganization of the area's parks into a region of the NPS in 1962, Jett became the first regional director and remained in that position until his retirement in 1968. Secretary of Interior, Stewart Udall, described this time at the National Capital Region as "a difficult period of expansion and growth when many complex projects were undertaken." As regional director, he greatly strengthened the management structure of the region by assigning greater responsibility and authority to five regional superintendents. He also implemented a priority system of park maintenance that resulted in greater efficiency and economy, while at the same time, upgrading the level of park maintenance throughout the region. He was a vigorous promoter of park beautification projects, which enjoyed broad public backing when First Lady, Ladybird Johnson expressed an interest in the revitalization of the region's parks. He launched Lady Bird Johnson's park beautification campaign with the first mass plantings in Pershing Square and Lafayette Park. During this period of expansion, Jett also directed restoration of Ford's Theatre and planning for the National Visitor Center at Union Station. His efforts were recognized by receiving the distinguished service award from the Department of Interior in 1963.
 
When he retired NPS director, George Herzog commented, "Under Sutton Jett's leadership the management structure of the National Capital Region has been greatly strengthened by a reorganization that assigned greater responsibility and authority to five regional superintendents. He also implemented a priority system of park maintenance that has resulted in greater efficiency and recovery...He has served with dedication and distinction." Jett stated, "I've never regretted a thing. It's been a most rewarding career. It's given me a lot and is the kind of work where you can give the taxpayer something concrete for his dollar."
 
While in a leadership role with the NPS, Jett founded the White House Historical Association. During his retirement he was its president and was a long-time board member from 1961 until 1985. 
 
Source:
Whitaker, Joseph D. (1989) Thomas Sutton Jett, 78, Ex-Park Official Dies Washington Post January 18
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