In the very top of the dome of the Rotunda, right over the cases holding the Constitution, there is a large opening called an oculus. In March, facilities staff lowered a cable through the oculus to hoist up a 225-foot-long banner that starts over the Bill of Rights, swings up into the middle of the … Continue reading Follow That Banner
The National Archives History Office is celebrating Women's History Month by featuring past employees. Today's post comes from Sarah Basilion. Trudy Peterson, 1988. (National Archives Identifier 35810833) Trudy Huskamp Peterson was appointed Acting Archivist of the United States in March 1993, following the departure of Archivist Don W. Wilson, who left to head the new … Continue reading Acting Archivist Trudy Huskamp Peterson
Today's post comes from Hailey Philbin in the National Archives History Office. The 20th Amendment is often referred to as the Lame Duck Amendment. It was passed by Congress on March 2, 1932, and ratified on January 23, 1933. The amendment changed the date of the Presidential inauguration from March 4 to January 20. It … Continue reading The Not-So-Lame Amendment
The National Archives History Office is celebrating Women's History Month by featuring past employees. Today's post comes from Hailey Philbin. Mabel Deutrich. (National Archives Identifier 12170444) “Deutrich’s only disadvantage in this respect lies in her being a woman.” Imagine hearing this and inevitably realizing that your career ambitions would be restricted because of your gender. … Continue reading Ms. Archivist
This photo was taken in 1966 in the Auditorium at the National Archives in Washington, DC. It’s the Miss Archives Contest. Yes, that really happened. And no, there was not a Mr. Archives Contest. It is an appropriate commentary on the status of women in the National Archives from its founding in 1934 through the … Continue reading Clio was a woman: Trailblazers at the National Archives
We are wrapping up our celebration of Black History Month. Today’s post comes from Hailey Philbin. On a sunny day in 1944, young Sara Jackson walked along the noisy DC streets right into the National Archives and asked for a job. Sara Dunlap Jackson receiving the Houston Civil War Round Table's Frank E. Vandiver Award, … Continue reading The Wild, Wild West . . . of Pennsylvania Avenue
The National Archives History Office continues to highlight past employees in celebration of Black History Month. Leon Poyner began his career at the National Archives as a chauffeur in 1936. He worked his way up to Transportation Manager and ultimately Chief of Archival Services in the Archives Handling Branch. Although he was not an archivist, Poyner's … Continue reading Leon Poyner: Supporting the Archives for 25 Years
The National Archives History Office continues to celebrate Black History Month with stories of former employees. Today’s post comes from Kaitlin Errickson. Harold Pinkett, ca. 1978. (National Archives History Office Collection) Dr. Harold Pinkett established many firsts for African Americans at both the National Archives and in the field of archival studies. His career was … Continue reading Harold Pinkett: An Archivist and Scholar
In celebration of Black History Month the National Archives History Office is sharing stories of African American former employees and their influence on the institution. Today's post comes from Kirsten Dillon. James "Jimmy" Dent Walker, born June 9, 1928, in Washington, DC, was a well-known genealogical consultant at the National Archives. During his career, Walker built … Continue reading James D. Walker: Lone Messenger to International Genealogist
Today Pieces of History kicks off a month-long celebration of Black History. The National Archives has millions of pages of records that document African American history—from Blacks serving in the Revolutionary War to the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. But behind those stories are the stories of the many African … Continue reading Celebrating Black History Month
