Carlton Chapman was born in Pembroke, a small town in Southwestern Virginia, in 1912. He was working for the Norfolk and Western Railway when the United States entered World War II. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a machine gunner with the 761st Tank Battalion. The 761st Tank Battalion was … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Carlton Chapman and the Ultimate Sacrifice
We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout its history. Today’s staff spotlight is Lucille Joppy, who served as president of the union that represented National Archives employees in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Lucille B. Joppy (née Lucille Briscoe), was born in Washington, DC, on … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Lucille Joppy
February is Black History Month. Visit the National Archives website for more information on our resources related to African American History. Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904–April 1, 1950) was an American surgeon, educator, and pioneering medical researcher on blood transfusions. He discovered that plasma had a longer shelf life than blood and could be separated to … Continue reading Dr. Charles Drew: A Pioneer in Blood Transfusions
In celebration of Black History Month, we’re looking at how Black designers have shaped our world—from architecture to fashion to illustration to web design to inventions, we’re celebrating great design by Black creatives. Join the conversation Friday, February 3, 2022, on Instagram and Twitter by using #ArchivesHashtagParty and #ArchivesBlackDesign. Today’s post from Jen Johnson, a … Continue reading Marjorie S. Joyner: More Than an Inventor
We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout history. Today’s staff spotlight is on Josef C. James, the first African American Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. Josef C. James—his friends called him JC—was born in Ocala, Florida, in 1915 and grew up in … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Josef C. James
We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout its history. Today’s staff spotlight is Robert L. Clarke, who served as the first official Black History Specialist at the National Archives. Robert Lewis Clarke was born in Orlando, Florida, on February 27, 1920. He graduated from … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Robert L. Clarke
We’re concluding Black History Month with a post on Marian Anderson from Adam Berenbak in the Center for Legislative Archives. For more information on resources related to African American History, visit the National Archives website. This petition was sent to the U.S. Senate in April of 1939 from the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. It requests that … Continue reading Marian Anderson’s 1939 Easter Concert
We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout its history. Today’s staff spotlight is on Lillian Grandy, who began her National Archives career as a secretary and ended it as an exhibit specialist with a focus on Black history. Lillian Elizabeth Grandy (née Love) was born … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Lillian Grandy
February is Black History Month. Visit the National Archives website for more information and resources on African American History. Today’s Facial Hair Friday post about Robert Smalls comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Robert Smalls was an American boat pilot, politician, and businessman whose daring heroism during … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Robert Smalls
Today’s Facial Hair Friday is about Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American to serve in Congress and the first African American Senator. It’s from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Hiram Revels was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in either 1822 or 1827. His parents were both freemen, … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Hiram Revels
