Celebrating African Artists at the National Archives 

February is Black History Month! Visit the National Archives website to learn more about our many resources and events related to Black history. Today we're looking at a 1971 exhibit at the National Archives Building of images of African art from one of our donated collections. The National Archives promoted Black history even before February … Continue reading Celebrating African Artists at the National Archives 

Historic Staff Spotlight: Lillian Grandy

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

Facial Hair Friday: Robert Smalls

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

Bienvenue à Port-au-Prince, Monsieur Douglass

Today’s post comes from John P. Blair with the National Archives History Office. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Douglass, arguably America’s most accomplished African American civil rights leader of the 19th century. As we recognize the contributions of African Americans during Black History Month, we are reminded that on … Continue reading Bienvenue à Port-au-Prince, Monsieur Douglass

The “EP” at the National Archives

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation (what some of us here at the Archives call the “EP”)—in the middle of the U.S. Civil War. In it, he declared all slaves within the states that were currently in rebellion to be free. Although it did not abolish slavery altogether, the document … Continue reading The “EP” at the National Archives

Black History Month: the 54th Massachusetts

Today’s post comes from Austin McManus with the National Archives History Office. To commemorate Black History Month, we celebrate the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first African American unit of the U.S. Army. These brave men served honorably during U.S. Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in American history. President Abraham Lincoln issued the … Continue reading Black History Month: the 54th Massachusetts

The drawings of Charles Alston

February is Black History Month! Visit the National Archives website to learn more about our many events and activities celebrating African American History. Charles Henry Alston (November 28, 1907–April 27, 1977) was a noted African American artist and teacher. He is best known for sculpting the bust of Martin Luther King, Jr., on display in the … Continue reading The drawings of Charles Alston

African American History at the National Archives

February is African American History Month! Visit the National Archives website to learn more about our many events and activities celebrating African American History. In the late 1960s the National Archives began hosting conferences for researchers and scholars. These were held on a variety of subjects, but all related to records held by the institution. The … Continue reading African American History at the National Archives

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

Leon Poyner: Supporting the Archives for 25 Years

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