We're not always fashion forward here in the National Archives (archivists wear blue coats over the street clothes to protect themselves from the dust and dirt that come from working in the stacks), but we were inspired by the jaunty hats and shiny shoes worn by these two women. And so were many of you, apparently! … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest—April 26
Today's History Crush post is from archives technician Timothy Duskin, who confesses that his admiration for our first President has only increased since researching the records related to George Washington at the National Archives. I have always considered George Washington to be the greatest Founding Father, the greatest President, and the greatest American. Two years ago, I … Continue reading History Crush: George Washington
One man in last week's picture wasn't happy, but all your comments made us smile! Our guest judge is Jackie Budell, an archives specialist who supervises groups of devoted volunteers who are currently processing the Civil War Widows files, an enormous project with thousands of documents that need to be carefully handled--you never know what … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest: March 22
Today's post comes from Christopher Zarr of the National Archives at New York City. At first glance, some of our records may not grab your attention. Take for instance, two documents labeled Exhibit C and D. Exhibit C is a ticket from 1912 for excess luggage, and Exhibit D is a claim coupon to pick up one's bags … Continue reading Lucy Ridsdale and the Titanic Tragedy
Your captions were as sweet and delicious as cold beer on a hot summer's day! And we knew just who to ask to serve as guest judge: beer enthusiast and information technology specialist Crystal Brooks. Even though Crystal modestly claims to still be a novice when it comes to home brewing, we knew that she … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest: March 8
Perhaps it was the effect of all four of those Seussian megaphones, but your captions were extra funny this week. We could indeed hear you now and we did need a Ricola to soothe our throats from chortling, but we finally had to call in to this week's special guest judge. Congratulations to Mandi! Your clever pun on tickled the … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest: February 23
Today's post comes from Gregory Marose, an intern in the National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications. America is a celebrity-crazed nation, a place where movie stars, musicians, and even politicians are relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi. But you may be surprised to learn that our national fascination with fame predates Hollywood and the modern … Continue reading Inside the Vaults: George Washington and the Paparazzi
Today's post comes from Gregory Marose, an intern in the National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications. With Super Bowl Sunday just two days away, we’ve decided to call an audible and make today's "Facial Hair Friday" into a "Football Friday." When the New England Patriots and New York Giants collide in this year’s Super Bowl, … Continue reading Football Friday: Presidents and the Pigskin
Intriguing discoveries are made all the time in the National Archives. This tintype of a woman and child doesn’t look like the typical federal record, let alone one associated with military records. But it was found in one of the 1.28 million Civil War Widows Certificate Approved Pension Case Files. Since 2007, a team of … Continue reading A Civil War Widow’s Story
Although it's been a while since our last caption contest, these young men are still sitting patiently in class. We had a hard time choosing from the comments here and on Facebook. Would we speak quietly and carry a big ruler? Or should we choose the suggestion from the National Archives in Alaska, that back in … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest: LOLcat edition
