The United States has been accumulating records since the first meeting of the Continental Congress in 1774, and, as the government grew, so did the paperwork it created. Until 1934, however, there were no national archives to consolidate the papers, so each government department, bureau, or office retained custody of its own records.
In this Pieces of History blog post, learn about the creation of "The Guide to the Archives of the Government of the United States in Washington," published in 1904. The book was lauded as the first comprehensive list of records held by the federal government and was instrumental in the creation of the National Archives in 1934.
“With new high-speed scanners and a dedicated team of digitization staff, this new center is a game changer for the National Archives,” said Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan.
The National Archives and Records Administration launched a state-of-the-art digitization center in College Park, Maryland, enabling faster access to the country's most important historical federal government records. Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan, Rep. Steny Hoyer), Sen. Chris Van Hollen), and Rep. Glenn Ivey took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 12, 2024.
High-speed scanners and overhead camera systems that can handle a range of records and formats are among the equipment in the new facility. The National Archives will be able to digitize up to ten times as many records annually with the use of this technology. The public will have access to millions more records due to these upgrades. The agency’s goal of making access happen to federal records is dependent on our ability to expedite the digitization of our more than 13 billion documents.
National Archives Digitization Center April 12, 2024 US National Archives on YouTube
A new state-of-the-art digitization center is allowing the National Archives to provide greater public access to the country’s most important historical federal government records faster than ever before. The center’s opening is the first phase of a multiyear renovation project to support the mass digitization of enormous volumes of textual, photographic, and microfilm archival records and allow the agency to better meet its goal of providing access to its holdings digitally online.
Learn more on our Federal Records Management page: https://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/memos/ac-17-2024
Learn more on our Federal Records Management page: NARA to remove analog records as part of new digitization standardsThe National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is moving away from analog records and requiring it in digital format. June 30 will be the deadline.
You know us for historical records, but did you know we have fossils, too? 🐚 Jessie Kratz, historian at the National...
You know us for historical records, but did you know we have fossils, too?
Jessie Kratz, historian at the National Archives, joined as Matt Kaufax of WTOP News explored the impressive remnants of ancient life embedded in our limestone floors.
Come to the National Archives in DC for America’s historic documents
In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax TV skipped the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to experience his own “National Treasure” moment — hunting for fossils at the National Archives.
DC's National Archives: Home to historic documents and prehistoric fossils January 16, 2025 on YouTube.
The priceless pages at D.C.’s National Archives tell the story of America’s birth. But did you know that inside the building itself, there’s another even more ancient story hidden in the walls and the floorboards?
In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax skipped the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to experience his own “National Treasure” moment — hunting for fossils at the historic building.
