Muir Woods National Monument is a remnant of ancient coastal redwood forests that blanketed many northern California coastal valleys before the 1800s. Local businessman William Kent and his wife Elizabeth Thacher Kent bought land in this valley in 1905 to protect one of the last stands of uncut redwoods. To ensure permanent protection, they donated 295 acres of redwoods to the federal government. In 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the area a national monument. At William Kent?s request, it was named for conservationist John Muir.-- This is the best tree-lover?s monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world. You have done me great honor, and I am proud of it.-- John Muir to William Kent, 1908. In this Muir Woods Screensaver you can enjoy 51 images from this extraordinary old-growth forest of coastal redwoods.