Muir, Roosevelt, and Yosemite National Park as an Emergent Sacred Symbol: An Interaction Ritual Analysis of a Camping Trip

A camping trip by John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt in Yosemite Valley in 1903 marked the emergence of the park as a sacred symbol, setting the stage for its eventual federal protection. This study applies interaction ritual theory to analyze how their shared experience generated emotional connections that influenced conservation efforts, despite later ideological disagreements, such as Roosevelt's opposition to Muir over the Hetch Hetchy Valley dam proposal. The research traces the temporal and social dynamics of this pivotal event, offering insights into how symbolic interactions can shape long-term outcomes in environmental conservation.

Curry, T. J., & Gordon, K. O. (2017). Muir, Roosevelt, and Yosemite National Park as an Emergent Sacred Symbol: An Interaction Ritual Analysis of a Camping Trip. Symbolic Interaction, 40(2), 247–262. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/symb.279