Pneumatic Tube Transport

Pneumatic tubes were once a ubiquitous feature of Federal buildings both in Washington, DC, and around the country. Eleanor Ernest taking a cylinder with telegrams from the pneumatic tube in which they have been sent across several blocks by air pressure, Washington, DC, June 1943. (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress) The National Archives … Continue reading Pneumatic Tube Transport

Positives and Negatives

This post documents the survey of photographic materials for transfer from Federal agencies to the newly created National Archives in the mid-1930s. Surveys were conducted while the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, was still being constructed. Today’s post comes from Joseph Gillette, a processing archivist at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Between … Continue reading Positives and Negatives

Facial Hair Friday: John Muir

Today’s a twofer—it’s hashtag party #ArchivesOutdoors and Facial Hair Friday! Today’s post comes from Michael Steffen from the National Archives History Office. John Muir, ca. 1900. (Image Courtesy of the Library of Congress) Summer is a great opportunity for families to get together and spend time outdoors. From visiting a National Park to hiking on … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: John Muir

The Eagle Has Landed: The Apollo 11 50th Anniversary

From July 3, 2019 through August 7, 2019, a special featured document display relating to the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing is in the East Rotunda Gallery of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Today’s post comes from Vincent Bartholomew from the National Archives History Office. July 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the … Continue reading The Eagle Has Landed: The Apollo 11 50th Anniversary

Facial Hair Friday: Samuel Morse

Today’s post comes from Megan Huang, an intern in the National Archives History Office. Today we’re shining the spotlight on Samuel Morse, with his Walt Whitman-esque beard that’s a bit all over the place. It could be appropriate, though, since the two careers Morse chose in his lifetime tend to be associated with eccentricity. Samuel … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Samuel Morse

The Story of the Faulkner Murals

On Tuesday, July 2, 2019, Lester Gorelic gave a talk in the William G. McGowan Theater in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, on The Faulkner Murals: Revealing Their Stories. It is available for viewing on YouTube. In 2014 the National Archives' Prologue magazine published Lester Gorelic’s article, The Faulkner Murals: Depicting the Creation … Continue reading The Story of the Faulkner Murals

Milestones on the Road to Marriage Equality

This June the National Archives is celebrating National Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, which honors the important contributions that LGBTQ+ Americans have made to United States history and culture. Visit the National Archives website for more information on our related holdings. Today’s post comes from Michael Steffen in the National Archives History Office. … Continue reading Milestones on the Road to Marriage Equality

Pride in Protesting: 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising

Today’s post comes from Rachel Rosenfeld in the National Archives History Office. June is internationally recognized as Pride Month, and this year’s celebrations mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots—the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. The Stonewall Inn opened its doors as a gay bar in 1967 in Greenwich Village, a … Continue reading Pride in Protesting: 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising

Waldo G. Leland: A Founder of the National Archives

Today’s post comes from Michael J. Hancock from the National Archives History Office. Waldo Leland Portrait. (Records of the National Archives) In the hallowed halls of the National Archives you’ll find portraits of the distinguished line of Archivists of the United States. They almost seem to look back at you with a sense of pride … Continue reading Waldo G. Leland: A Founder of the National Archives

Facial Hair Friday: General Winfield Scott Hancock

Today is Facial Hair Friday, and we’re taking a look back at Union General Winfield Scott Hancock, whose statue sits across the street from the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Today’s post comes from Michael J. Hancock in the National Archives History Office. When you think of the name Hancock, the image of an … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: General Winfield Scott Hancock