11 Bookmobiles that Make Archivists Want to Hit the Road

Librarians have different jobs than archivists. And the National Archives is not the Library of Congress (hi, neighbors!). But, librarians and archivists have a lot in common, and the Archivist of the United States had a long career as a librarian before crossing over to the other side of the stacks. Like librarians, archivists love … Continue reading 11 Bookmobiles that Make Archivists Want to Hit the Road

INVASION! (of privacy)

Today's post comes from Joseph Gillette, an archivist on a cross-training assignment with the National Archives History Office. It is part of a series concerning the Air Force’s Project Blue Book investigation. In the mid-1970s, the National Archives prepared to absorb the records of the Air Force’s Project Blue Book, as well as its precursors, … Continue reading INVASION! (of privacy)

Betty Ford, Dancer

April 8, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of Betty Ford's birth. Today's post comes from Nikita Buley, a former intern at the National Archives.  Betty Ford was known as a vivacious activist for women's rights. What many don’t know is that she was also a talented modern dancer. Born Elizabeth Bloomer, the future First Lady … Continue reading Betty Ford, Dancer

Betty Ford Danced To Her Own Beat

We're wrapping up Women's History Month. Today’s post comes from Anayeli Nunez at the National Archives History Office. In 1987, Congress declared March National Women’s History Month. Today we use this month to honor women, from the suffragists of the 19th Amendment to today’s proud supporters of the #MeToo movement.  It's also a fitting time to look … Continue reading Betty Ford Danced To Her Own Beat

Change at their fingertips: Women’s petitions to Congress

March is Women's History Month. Today’s post comes from Melanie M. Griffin from the National Archives Education and Public Programs Office. Often when one thinks of the freedoms embedded in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, one doesn't immediately think of the right to petition. A petition is a plea from an individual or a … Continue reading Change at their fingertips: Women’s petitions to Congress

Eugenie Anderson’s Historic Firsts

Today’s post comes from John P. Blair with the National Archives History Office. A portrait of Eugenie Anderson, ca. 1956. (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives) The observance of Women’s History Month prompts us to explore the lives and experiences of some of the many female trailblazers in our nation’s history. One … Continue reading Eugenie Anderson’s Historic Firsts

16 Times History Made Us Hungry For Pi Day

Happy Pi Day! Are you baking up a fresh dessert to celebrate? Get inspired by some historic pie deliciousness, fresh from our archives. 1 Everything about this photo is vintage #piegoals. The apron, the polka-dot potholders, that oven! 2 Does your pie make THE CUT? These pie judges can tell with just ONE SLICE.    … Continue reading 16 Times History Made Us Hungry For Pi Day

Annie Oakley: A Woman to be Reckoned With

March is Women’s History Month! Today’s post comes from Madie Ward in the National Archives History Office. Among the billions of documents in the National Archives, Archivist of the United States David Ferriero has a favorite: the 1898 letter from Annie Oakley to President William McKinley offering 50 American lady sharpshooters in the Spanish-American War. … Continue reading Annie Oakley: A Woman to be Reckoned With

Morgantown Ordnance Works Panoramas, 1940-1942

Today’s post comes from Nicholas Novine, a processing intern at the National Archives at Philadelphia. We are pleased to announce that a series of 91 panoramas documenting industrial developments of the Morgantown Ordnance Works at Morgantown, West Virginia have been digitized and are available through our online catalog. Staff at the National Archives at Philadelphia … Continue reading Morgantown Ordnance Works Panoramas, 1940-1942