Want to work at the National Archives? We are looking for a paid intern who is a currently enrolled student. This position is part of the Office of Strategy and Communications. Duties include writing and editing,working on social media projects, creating news clips, and assisting with event planning. There’s only four days left to apply! Image: Photograph of J. W. Roberts, Mrs. E. B. Haas, and Miss J. Cobb with Memovox, 194 (ARC 3493216)
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Want to work at the National Archives? We are looking for a paid intern who is a currently enrolled student.

This position is part of the Office of Strategy and Communications. Duties include writing and editing,working on social media projects, creating news clips, and assisting with event planning.

There’s only four days left to apply!

Image: Photograph of J. W. Roberts, Mrs. E. B. Haas, and Miss J. Cobb with Memovox, 194 (ARC 3493216)

Happy Earth Day! How can the National Archives be a greener place? How about using goats? Last year, 900 goats grazed on the grounds of the Reagan Presidential Library. An annual brush clearing is an important part of fire abatement because the Library is located in a fire-prone area. The Library took on 400 goats in 2011 to clear 13 acres of brush around the property. In 2012, 900 goats covered 40 acres. A portable fence was used to move the goats around and keep them safe. A shepherd also lived on the property for the entire month to watch over the goats so that they were safe from coyotes or bobcats. Read the full story on the Prologue blog.
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Happy Earth Day! How can the National Archives be a greener place? How about using goats?

Last year, 900 goats grazed on the grounds of the Reagan Presidential Library.

An annual brush clearing is an important part of fire abatement because the Library is located in a fire-prone area. The Library took on 400 goats in 2011 to clear 13 acres of brush around the property. In 2012, 900 goats covered 40 acres.

A portable fence was used to move the goats around and keep them safe. A shepherd also lived on the property for the entire month to watch over the goats so that they were safe from coyotes or bobcats.

Read the full story on the Prologue blog.

In honor of National Library Week, we’re featuring a DOCUMERICA photo from a library for Flashback Friday—and asking you about your favorite 1970s memories! What was the name of the library in your hometown? (And do you know how to use a card catalog?) Image: Boy fills out book withdrawal card from Rogers Memorial Library, ARC 546565. See more DOCUMERICA photos in our current exhibit “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Project.”
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In honor of National Library Week, we’re featuring a DOCUMERICA photo from a library for Flashback Friday—and asking you about your favorite 1970s memories!

What was the name of the library in your hometown? (And do you know how to use a card catalog?)

Image: Boy fills out book withdrawal card from Rogers Memorial Library, ARC 546565.

See more DOCUMERICA photos in our current exhibit “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Project.”

Update on fire at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library

Boston Fire Department officials have concluded their investigation of the April 15, 2013 fire at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and have determined that it was “unintentional.” According to the Boston Fire Department, the most likely cause was “careless disposal of smoking material.”

The JFK Library will remain closed until further notice while Library officials conduct a full test of the Library’s fire and security systems.

We are grateful to the Boston Fire and Police Departments for their quick and effective response to the fire on Monday, and their thorough investigation following the event.

These objects from the National Archives were just installed at the Newseum for the new exhibit “Three Shots Were Fired,” marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK.

These objects have never been on display before, and include:

  • The long-sleeve shirt Lee Harvey Oswald was wearing when he was arrested an hour and 20 minutes after the assassination
  • The jacket belonging to Oswald that police believe he discarded at a gas station after shooting Dallas police officer J.D. Tippit
  • The wallet Oswald was carrying at the time of his arrest, and its contents
  • The blanket Oswald used to hide his rifle in the garage of a family friend near Dallas

Images courtesy of Maria Bryk/Newseum

Dick Cavett is back! See the famous late-night show show host on Friday, April 19, at noon. (You can also watch live on Ustream.) From 1968 to 1982, Dick Cavett hosted the nation’s most famous personalities on his late-night talk show.  Listen to Cavett’s best tales—one-upping Bette Davis, testifying on behalf of John Lennon, scheming with John Updike—from his book Talk Show. A book signing will follow the program. The program is free and open to the public! Enter the National Archives through the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue.
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Dick Cavett is back! See the famous late-night show show host on Friday, April 19, at noon. (You can also watch live on Ustream.)

From 1968 to 1982, Dick Cavett hosted the nation’s most famous personalities on his late-night talk show.  Listen to Cavett’s best tales—one-upping Bette Davis, testifying on behalf of John Lennon, scheming with John Updike—from his book Talk Show. A book signing will follow the program.

The program is free and open to the public! Enter the National Archives through the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue.

Yesterday there was a fire at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The JFK Library staff is assessing the damage. The Library will be closed until further notice, as we continue to assess and mitigate the situation. There was water penetration in a few artifact storage rooms, but damage to the collection is minimal and staff worked overnight to stabilize those areas. There is significant water and other fire protection damage in other parts of the building. Boston Police continue to investigate the cause of the fire. We feel fortunate that no one was hurt and appreciate everyone’s efforts to provide for the safety of our staff, our visitors, and our collections. The damage to our building is real, but insignificant when compared to the lives lost in the bombings downtown. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy and their families.
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Yesterday there was a fire at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The JFK Library staff is assessing the damage. The Library will be closed until further notice, as we continue to assess and mitigate the situation.

There was water penetration in a few artifact storage rooms, but damage to the collection is minimal and staff worked overnight to stabilize those areas. There is significant water and other fire protection damage in other parts of the building. Boston Police continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

We feel fortunate that no one was hurt and appreciate everyone’s efforts to provide for the safety of our staff, our visitors, and our collections.

The damage to our building is real, but insignificant when compared to the lives lost in the bombings downtown. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy and their families.

Hear from the photographers who worked on the DOCUMERICA project, this Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. For the DOCUMERICA project, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hired nearly 100 freelance photographers to capture images relating to environmental problems, EPA activities, and everyday life in the 1970s. A panel of these photographers discuss their work shown in the exhibit, “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project,” including Jack Corn, Lyntha Scott Eiler, Tom Hubbard, Michael Philip Manheim, and John H. White. Linda Wertheimer, NPR senior national correspondent, will moderate the discussion. There will be a book signing after the program. Enter the National Archives Building through the Special Events entrance on Constitution Ave.
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Hear from the photographers who worked on the DOCUMERICA project, this Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m.

For the DOCUMERICA project, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hired nearly 100 freelance photographers to capture images relating to environmental problems, EPA activities, and everyday life in the 1970s.

A panel of these photographers discuss their work shown in the exhibit, “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project,” including Jack Corn, Lyntha Scott Eiler, Tom Hubbard, Michael Philip Manheim, and John H. White. Linda Wertheimer, NPR senior national correspondent, will moderate the discussion.

There will be a book signing after the program.

Enter the National Archives Building through the Special Events entrance on Constitution Ave.

On April 18, at noon, journalist M. Stanton Evans examines how Stalin’s Soviet intelligence networks infiltrated the American government during World War II. (You can also watch live on Ustream.) Evans uses primary sources and formerly secret records to provide a riveting account of the widespread spy network. A book signing will follow the program. The program is free and open to the public. Enter the National Archives building through the Special events entrance on Constitution Ave.
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On April 18, at noon, journalist M. Stanton Evans examines how Stalin’s Soviet intelligence networks infiltrated the American government during World War II. (You can also watch live on Ustream.)

Evans uses primary sources and formerly secret records to provide a riveting account of the widespread spy network.

A book signing will follow the program. The program is free and open to the public. Enter the National Archives building through the Special events entrance on Constitution Ave.