The Wild, Wild West . . . of Pennsylvania Avenue

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

Harold Pinkett: An Archivist and Scholar

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

150th Anniversary of the Freedman’s Bank

Today's post was written by Damani Davis, reference archivist at the National Archives in Washington, DC. On March 3, 2015, the National Archives will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Freedman’s Savings & Trust Company, better known as the "Freedman’s Bank.” The founding of the Freedman’s Bank was spearheaded by John W. Alvord, a Congregationalist … Continue reading 150th Anniversary of the Freedman’s Bank

The Remarkable Story of Ann Lowe: From Alabama to Madison Avenue

Today's guest post comes from Margaret Powell, MA, a decorative arts historian from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her areas of concentration are textile and costume history. She is a graduate of the Smithsonian Associates–Corcoran College of Art and Design History of Decorative Arts Masters Program. On September 13, 1953, the New York Times featured the wedding of … Continue reading The Remarkable Story of Ann Lowe: From Alabama to Madison Avenue