The Last Hands to Touch the Declaration of Independence

Today's post comes from Victoria Blue, writer-editor in the Office of Internal Communications at the National Archives. When Chief of Conservation Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler retires in July, the last hands to have touched the Declaration of Independence will leave the National Archives. She has been with the agency since 1985. The Declaration of Independence was sealed … Continue reading The Last Hands to Touch the Declaration of Independence

One Hundred Years of the National Park Service

Today’s post comes from Andrew Grafton in the National Archives History Office. Yellowstone. The Grand Canyon. Yosemite. For many Americans, the mere mention of these sites conjures up images of grandeur and magnificence. As the conservator of the United States’ most storied and important landmarks, the National Park Service is charged with the preservation and … Continue reading One Hundred Years of the National Park Service

Ninth Archivist Allen Weinstein

The National History office is wrapping up its month-long series on stories about the former Archivists of the United States. Ninth Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein was nominated by President George Bush on January 24, 2005, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 10, 2005. Born in New York City in 1937, … Continue reading Ninth Archivist Allen Weinstein