An American Symbol Forged from the Progressive Era: The National Archives Building

The National Archives Building in Washington, DC, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently being considered for National Historic Landmark Status. A virtual program on the nomination will be held at noon (ET) on Thursday, April 29, 2021. Register here. The historical community had long lobbied for a National Archives without … Continue reading An American Symbol Forged from the Progressive Era: The National Archives Building

Poets for Every Age: American Poets and Writers

April is National Poetry Month, which celebrates the importance of poets and poetry. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The United States has a rich literary history with some of the most prolific poets of the 19th and 20th centuries. Their writings … Continue reading Poets for Every Age: American Poets and Writers

Honoring Heroes: The Award Card Record Series

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. It is the part of a series on records at the National Personnel Records Center. In 1973, when an infamous fire ripped through the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, thousands of records were … Continue reading Honoring Heroes: The Award Card Record Series

Becoming Bigger and Better: The NPRC After the Great Fire of 1973

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. It's the first in a series of posts on the National Personnel Records Center. Special thanks to Bryan McGraw, Director of the Personnel Records Division, whose interview provided historical information about the center following the fire, … Continue reading Becoming Bigger and Better: The NPRC After the Great Fire of 1973

Facial Hair Friday: Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman, ca. 1863-1865. (National Archives Identifier 525875) April is National Poetry Month, and today we're looking at one of the most famous American poets of all time: Walt Whitman. In addition to his bushy beard, Walt Whitman is probably best known as the American poet who wrote Leaves of Grass. But you may not … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Walt Whitman

Exploring Irish History Through the Famine Files and Other Arrival Records

We're wrapping up Irish American Heritage Month. Today's post comes from Chris Gushman, Archives Director, and Dorothy Dougherty, Programs Director, at the National Archives at New York City. The National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) Access to Archival Databases (AAD) launched nearly 20 years ago, providing free public access to several series of government records … Continue reading Exploring Irish History Through the Famine Files and Other Arrival Records

Celebrating Irish Americans: The Fenian Brotherhood

March is Irish American Heritage Month, and we're taking a look at one of the more curious incidents in Irish American history: when Irish Americans attacked Canada! Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. John Francis O'Mahony, ca. 1861-1865. (National Archives Identifier 526300) In the wake … Continue reading Celebrating Irish Americans: The Fenian Brotherhood

First Lady of Law: Mabel Walker Willebrandt

March is Women's History Month. Visit the National Archives website for resources and virtual events related to women's history. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. When everyone around you is breaking the law, what do you do? For Mabel Walker Willebrandt, the … Continue reading First Lady of Law: Mabel Walker Willebrandt

Taking it to the Stars: Eileen Collins, Space Shuttle Commander

March is both Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.  The Irish have had a profound influence on the history of the United States. During Irish-American Heritage Month, communities and cultural organizations across the country … Continue reading Taking it to the Stars: Eileen Collins, Space Shuttle Commander

USS Monitor Gun Carriages

March 8–9, 2021, marks the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads, also known as the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack. This battle is significant as the first fight between two ironclad warships, USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. … Continue reading USS Monitor Gun Carriages