“The Scenic Village Gallery” formerly “The Ansel Adams Gallery”
Yosemite is a place that never ceases to amaze, often evoking a reflexive “Wow!” from my lips as I explore the national park. Indeed on my last visit that wow factor hit me again as snow fell in Yosemite Valley, but I was also wow’d in a way that could only make me facepalm in disgust and embarrassment. What could cause such a reaction? Seeing the recent name changes to much beloved landmarks that have swept across the park due to a heated trademark battle between the National Park Service and Delaware North. Curry Village is now Half Dome Village, Yosemite Lodge is now Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee is now the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, etc., but what pushed me over the edge on my visit was seeing the recent change to The Ansel Adams Gallery which is now The Scenic Village Gallery. The absurdity of changing the name of a Historical Landmark such as the Ahwahnee is in itself silly especially given the Historical Landmark placards still stand outside & inside the building, but to see tradition further trounced upon by changing The Ansel Adams Gallery to something as generic as “Scenic Village” was mind blowing. Below are some photos of the signs reflecting the name changes I took on my visit. I will say though they got the name right on some buildings that have yet to get much press attention…
The Ahwahnee National Historical Landmark Placard Outside the Majestic Yosemite Hotel
New Roadsigns in Yosemite Valley Resulting from the Delaware North Trademark Dispute
Yosemite Valley Lodge Sign
The Partially Covered Ahwahnee National Historical Landmark Placard Inside the Majestic Yosemite Hotel – Formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel
The Majestic Yosemite Hotel Bus Stop
Yosemite Bathrooms Now Aptly Named the Delatrine Norths
For more information on the Delaware North / National Park Service trademark battle read the following articles:
- A private company trademarked the phrase ‘Yosemite National Park.’ Should the U.S. pay to get it back? – New York Times
- Op-Ed: Yosemite Is Losing to Corporate Greed – Outside Magazine
- No Longer the Ahwahnee: new names for Yosemite landmark sites – SFGate.com
It was always my understanding that the Ansel Adams Gallery was the last privately owned concession in the Valley. Seems like it should have been exempt from the Delaware North debacle. Is nothing sacred?