Today's blog post comes from Jennifer Johnson, curator at the National Archives. The National Archives is known as the nation’s record keeper. But you may be surprised to learn that we also have a vast collection of gifts, given to Presidents, Vice Presidents, and their wives, that is astonishing in its variety. At the National … Continue reading Putting on the glitz!
Rick Blondo, management and program analyst at the National Archives, reflects on the logistics of maintaining records in the sweltering humidity that is summer in Washington, DC. Summer in Washington can be a wilting experience for tourists and locals alike, but not so for the holdings maintained in the National Archives. The National Archives was … Continue reading A warning from the Surgeon General about air conditioning
People often refer to the National Archives as a “treasure trove” of history. Usually they’re referring to the wealth of knowledge documented in our billions of pieces of paper. But occasionally you come across something that would not be out of place in a real treasure chest. At the end of the 19th century, thousands … Continue reading Striking Gold in the Records
This week marks the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The National Archives holds many records that relate to American citizens with disabilities. From personal letters to historic legislation, these records from the Presidential Libraries provide insight into disability history. For the opening of the Public Vaults exhibition at the National Archives Building … Continue reading A letter to the President—in Braille
Today's post comes from Nikita Buley, an intern in the National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications. “Attachments,” the current exhibit at the National Archives in Washington, DC, tells the stories of some of the millions of people who have entered and left the United States. One visitor, Pasquale Taraffo, came to the United States … Continue reading Plucked from our records: Pasquale Taraffo and the Harp Guitar
Today's post is written by Kimberlee Ried, public programs specialist at the National Archives in Kansas City. "Take me out to the ball game, take me out with the crowd . . ." These words, written by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer in 1908, are still heard every night at baseball parks across America, … Continue reading Take me out to the ballgame (and then to court)
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
Today's post comes from Gregory Marose, an intern in the National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications. The National Archives is known for maintaining and preserving documents like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. But among America’s historic documents, there are also records of bank robbers, bootleggers, and gangsters. In this week’s “True Crime at … Continue reading A Public Enemy’s Life in the Fast Lane
A detail from the claim submitted by Florence Gwinn, the widow of William Gwinn. Today's guest post was written by William B. Roka, a longtime volunteer at the National Archives in New York City. You can follow them on Facebook as they launch "Titantic Tuesdays" in the weeks leading up to the 100th anniversary of the … Continue reading RMS Titanic: Letters from a Lost Liner
Today's guest post comes from Miriam Kleiman of the Public and Media Communications Office. Before joining the Public Affairs staff, I was a researcher for the “Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Interagency Working Group.” I reviewed records of Nazi war criminals, including those recruited by the U.S. intelligence. Needless to say, this … Continue reading Hitler and his Dentist
