The Honorable Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medals are the most prestigious awards that recognize outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of public parks in the United States. Each year medals honoring extraordinary service are awarded at the National, State/Regional, and Local levels. The inaugural Pugsley Medals were awarded in 1928. The winner of the first National level award was Stephen T. Mather, the first director and "father" of the National Park Service. The distinguished pedigree of subsequent honorees has confirmed the prestige and status of the awards. For the first 58 years stewardship of the program was the responsibility of The American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. When the Society gave its assets to the National Park Foundation, the Foundation inherited the Awards Program and administered it from 1986-1996. In 1996 the Foundation invited The American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration to become its partner and to identify the Medal recipients. The Foundation continued to hold the endorsement which funds production of the Medals.