Designation of the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C. as the “Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building” was officially recognized in a ceremony earlier this week. The naming honors the legacy of Udall, who served as Secretary of the Interior for eight years under two presidents.

The 1960s was an important era for conservation efforts in the United States, and Stewart L. Udall's role as Secretary of the Interior was an important one. He held the post from 1961 to 1969 under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. An article in the Traveler earlier this year noted, "If you've ever enjoyed a national park, hiked down a trail, backpacked into wilderness, or paddled a wild and scenic stream, pause and give a minute of thanks for Stewart L. Udall."

An Interior spokesman notes, "During his tenure as Secretary of the Interior, Stewart Udall oversaw important additions to the National Park system, including national parks, monuments, seashores and lakeshores, recreation areas, and historic sites. Secretary Udall also helped implement landmark statutes on air, water, and land conservation, such as the creation of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965."

On June 8, 2010, President Barack Obama signed legislation designating the Department of the Interior Building as the “Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building.” The renaming was officially recognized in a ceremony on September 21, 2010; the event was well-attended by family and friends of the Udall family. Stewart Udall passed away at his home on March 20, 2010, at the age of 90.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was joined at the event by Stewart Udall’s son, Senator Tom Udall, Stewart Udall’s nephew, Senator Mark Udall, and by Senator Jeff Bingaman, and Congressman Raúl Grijalvá.

“Without question, our nation would not be the same without Secretary Udall’s vision, leadership, or writings,” said Secretary Salazar. “Stewart Udall’s name on the Department of Interior building will not only honor a great man, but will serve as a challenge to all who enter to uphold his legacy and commitment to protecting America’s natural treasures and resources.”

“My father was honored to lead the Department of Interior during a banner era for conservation, and would have been greatly humbled by this recognition,” Senator Tom Udall said. “My family and I are so proud of his legacy as a visionary conservationist and fierce protector of America’s people and special places. On behalf of my entire family, we thank all of Dad’s friends, colleagues and admirers who made this special day possible.”

“My Uncle Stewart’s passion in life and in public service were America’s wild places and the people who lived, worked and recreated on them,” Mark Udall said. “Under Stewart’s leadership, the Department of Interior was a beacon of conservation, wildland preservation, and environmental stewardship. Today’s dedication is an honor that will inspire future generations as he has inspired me and countless others.”

“It is fitting to name the Department of the Interior Building after Secretary Stewart Udall. His name on the building should be a permanent reminder of the example he set and a continuing inspiration to all who serve here and everyone who comes through the door,” Bingaman said.

“Stewart Udall’s accomplishments deserve more honor and recognition than we can give him today,” said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva. I join with many others around the country in valuing his contributions, because few people are more responsible for increasing our nation’s sensitivity to preserving the environment. He was a pioneering conservationist throughout his career, and today’s celebration is richly deserved.”

The structure, commonly referred to for years as "Main Interior," was the first building in Washington, D.C. authorized, designed, and built by the Roosevelt Administration. Construction began in April of 1935 and was completed in December of 1936, considered "a record time for building a structure of its size and complexity."

There's plenty of history in the building itself. According to information from the Department, "'Utility and economy' were the principles that guided the design of the new Interior Building. Among the most significant aspects were the spacious central corridors, the open courtyards, the movable steel office partitions, the acoustically treated ceilings, an entire floor reserved for mechanical equipment, and the fireproof design. Every element of the building's plan and architectural and decorative detail was considered carefully to allow for a useful building of practical simplicity."

The first large government building in the city to include air conditioning, it's design "not only cost less per square foot than those of the Federal Triangle, but also cost 10 to 15 percent les to operate-even with air conditioning…Although the designers placed considerable emphasis on the functionalism of the building, the architectural and decorative details were not over-looked."

Those decorative details make the building something of a tourist's attraction in its own right. "The structure contains more Public Work Administration (PWA) artwork than any other government building and it is second only to the Post Office building (Franklin Street Station), Washington, D.C., in the number of artists who executed the work under that program."

Although the museum in the building is currently closed for renovation, visitors can sign up for a tour of the building's famous murals. The tour lasts an hour and visits 26 photographic murals by Ansel Adams and many of the over fifty mural panels painted by artists including Maynard Dixon, Allan Houser, Gifford Beal, and John Steuart Curry. Advance reservations are required; details are available here.

The Department of the Interior includes a number of federal agencies with key roles in managing public lands, including the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U. S. Geological Survey.