Historian David McCullough is now an honorary park ranger/Soldier Creek Associates

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian David McCullough can add honorary park ranger to his list of accolades, joining the likes of filmmaker Ken Burns and former President Jimmy Carter, thanks to the National Park Service.

Mr. McCullough was presented the Honorary National Park Ranger Award, the highest civilian honor given by the agency, in a ceremony Tuesday on Boston Common. The award is reserved for individuals whose contributions to the Park Service are significant and sustained. He was also presented with the Saint-Gaudens Medal by the Saint-Gaudens Memorial, partner organization to Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in New Hampshire.

“Through his considerable and highly acclaimed work as an author and historian, Mr. McCullough has enlightened visitors to the shared history told at national park sites throughout the country,” Mike Caldwell, the Park Service’s Northeast Region director, said in a release. “It is my great honor to present him with the Honorary Park Ranger Award in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the NPS and to the generations of Americans who will continue to be inspired by his work to learn about and visit their national parks.”

Mr. McCullough, through his research and writing, as well as his personal contributions, long has been a supporter of national parks. McCullough’s historical interests have largely focused on important figures in U.S. history as well as significant American achievements, many of which have been preserved and interpreted in national parks. As a result, his highly acclaimed work has helped draw attention to the many historical parks and sites preserved by the Park Service.

“These awards recognize an outstanding career that has highlighted people and events responsible for shaping our nation,” Saint-Gaudens Memorial President Byron Bell said. “As has been delightfully illustrated in the case of the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Mr. McCullough’s engaging narratives have benefited national park sites by spreading their message and mission far and wide.”

Mr. McCullough has narrated a variety of documentaries that focus on historical subjects. In particular, two films produced by Mr. Burns, The Civil War and The Statue of Liberty, focus on important national park stories and resources. McCullough is also generous with his time, speaking about his subjects at Park Service events and participating in book signings on behalf of national parks.

Mr. McCullough has twice received the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback. His other acclaimed books include The Greater Journey, 1776, Brave Companions, The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, and The Wright Brothers. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.