Today's post comes from Elle Benak and Sanjana Barr from the National Archives History Office. On Friday September 16, 2016, the National Archives hosted the "Legacies of America's First Ladies" conference in the William G. McGowan theater in Washington, DC. This was part of an ongoing series first launched in 2011 by American University, who … Continue reading America’s First Ladies: In Service to Our Nation
Today’s post comes from Sonia Kahn in the National Archives History Office. It is the seventh and final of our series on the history of some of the seized foreign records housed at the National Archives. One of the most complex and fascinating histories about foreign records at the National Archvies has been saved for … Continue reading Papers of Count Galeazzo Ciano
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
Today’s post is by Rod Ross, a former archivist in the Center for Legislative Archives, who retired in April with 41 years of government service. His interest in this holiday began at birth–on Flag Day during World War II! Shortly after the war his family moved to Batavia, Illinois, where the Father of Flag Day, … Continue reading Flag Day, Past and Present
The National Archives was created on June 19, 1934. During the month of June, the National Archives History Office is sharing stories about the former Archivists of the United States. Today's post is from Sarah Basilion. In 1935, Solon J. Buck was appointed Assistant Director to serve under the first Archivist of the United States, Robert … Continue reading Archivist Solon J. Buck: Wartime Leader
This post comes to us from Miriam Kleiman, Program Director for Public Affairs. After 20 years at the National Archives (first as a researcher, then employee), I’m still delighted to discover new (to me) archival treasures. Not so long ago, a reporter asked me if the Archives had any Frank Sinatra–related records to mark the centennial … Continue reading Regrets, he had a few . . .
Since 1952, the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights have been on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives. In addition to the bulletproof and moisture-controlled sealed cases, the Charters of Freedom are protected by the National Archives security guards. Hundreds of people filter in and out of the … Continue reading The Men and Women Who Guard the Constitution
The National Archives History Office continues to celebrate Women’s History Month with stories of former employees. Today’s post comes from Kaitlin Errickson. Elizabeth B. Drewry was a key member of the National Archives staff during her many years of service and became a leading woman in the field of archives. Elizabeth B. Drewry’s National Archives Identification Card, … Continue reading Dr. Elizabeth B. Drewry: A Leading Lady
The National Archives History Office continues to celebrate Women’s History Month with stories of former employees. Today’s post comes from Kaitlin Errickson. Elizabeth Hamer, 7/31/1951. (National Archives Identifier 12167572) Elizabeth “Betty” Hamer Kegan was an archival pioneer. As a founding member of the Society of American Archivists (SAA) and lead supporter of the Freedom Train, … Continue reading Elizabeth Hamer Kegan: Educator and Innovator
In the very top of the dome of the Rotunda, right over the cases holding the Constitution, there is a large opening called an oculus. In March, facilities staff lowered a cable through the oculus to hoist up a 225-foot-long banner that starts over the Bill of Rights, swings up into the middle of the … Continue reading Follow That Banner
