Innovate To Make Access Happen

Today we share our new Open Government Plan. In the four years since we published our first plan, we have demonstrated our contribution to strengthening the principles of open government. We have implemented more than 90 actions to improve transparency, participation, and collaboration. In our new plan we focus our efforts to engage the public … Continue reading Innovate To Make Access Happen

Happy Memorial Day!

The photograph was taken at Soldier Field, Chicago, in July of 1967. The Navy’s Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes provided the manpower to create The Living Flag. In the upper right corner of the blue field, wearing a blue plastic bag over whitehat, stands recruit David S. Ferriero! Remembering boot camp on this Memorial Day weekend. … Continue reading Happy Memorial Day!

Sleepover at the National Archives

It gives me great joy to be able to share the treasures of the National Archives with kids and their families. In January, we held the first-ever National Archives Sleepover in the Rotunda. It was a great way to create a meaningful experience for families, while giving us the opportunity to explain the important role … Continue reading Sleepover at the National Archives

Public Service Recognition Week and the Archivist’s Awards

Despite the challenges of the past year--sequestration, the government shutdown, and other obstacles we have had to face-- the staff of the National Archives has consistently risen to the occasion and has done some extraordinary work. Staff receive awards at the 2014 Archivist's Awards Ceremony at the National Archives in College Park   For me, … Continue reading Public Service Recognition Week and the Archivist’s Awards

Patent of the Month: Tucker “Torpedo” Patent Drawing, 06/14/1949

During World War II, the South Side of Chicago was home to one of the largest war plants in the country, used by Dodge-Chrysler to build bomber plane engines. After the war, Preston Tucker leased two of the buildings to build his “Torpedo” car. This site is now the home of the National Archives at … Continue reading Patent of the Month: Tucker “Torpedo” Patent Drawing, 06/14/1949

Making Access Happen by Expanding Broadband

I recently attended the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ public hearing on broadband access, hosted at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC. I was joined by colleagues from Federal agencies, universities, museums and libraries to examine the need for high speed broadband access in America’s libraries, and how this access … Continue reading Making Access Happen by Expanding Broadband