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March 2013
Washington, DC, Area Events

Program Highlights

• Women’s History Month
  Celebrate Women’s History Month and the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Suffrage Parade with the 2004 film Iron Jawed Angels. (March 2)
• Global Perspectives on the Impact of Building Heights in National Capitals
  Is limiting building height the right policy to guide future growth in national capitals? (March 5)
• “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project”
  Look back on the 1970s classic Free to Be . . . You and Me (March 8), and find out about our new exhibit “Searching for the Seventies” with curator Bruce Bustard (March 12).
• 6th Annual Forum on Women in Leadership
  A panel explores the changes in the roles, opportunities, expectations, and obstacles for women in military leadership positions. (March 14)
• Preservation EXPOsed!
  Learn about preservation and caring for your personal treasures at our annual preservation expo. (March 14)
• 2013 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
  The film Earth Days looks back to the dawn of the modern environmental movement (March 21); the classic documentaries The River and The Columbia immortalize two mighty rivers. (March 22)
• Noontime Lectures
  Hear authors talk about The Girls of Atomic City (March 13) and Fear Itself: The New Deal and the Origins of Our Time (March 20).
• 16th Annual Latest in Lincoln Scholarship Symposium
  Register for the 16th Annual Abraham Lincoln Institute Symposium. (March 23)
• Know Your Records
  Find out what’s on the Access to Archival Databases online resource (March 5 and 7); get started with the Introduction to Genealogy workshop (March 6); learn how to use the National Archives web site to further your research goals (March 13 and 27); go “Beyond the Basics” to learn about Revolutionary War records (March 16) and the Papers of the Continental Congress (March 20); look for the next step at the “Help! I’m Stuck” clinic (March 16); or find out about the declassification of NATO records (March 19, and 21).

Saturday, March 2, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
Iron Jawed Angels
In celebration of Women’s History Month and the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Suffrage Parade, we present a screening and discussion of the 2004 film Iron Jawed Angels (125 min.), which tells the remarkable story of a group of young women, led by Alice Paul (Hilary Swank) and Lucy Burns (Frances O’Connor), who put their lives on the line to fight for American women’s right to vote. Presented in partnership with the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum. Please note: some scenes may be too intense for younger viewers.

Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater
Heightened Conversations: Global Perspectives on the Impact of Building Heights in National Capitals
Washington’s skyline is shaped by the Federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910. But is this the right policy to guide future growth in the nation’s capital? A panel of international experts considers the role governments play in managing building height in capital cities worldwide and examines strategies to balance city character and economic vitality in other capitals. Presented in partnership with the National Capital Planning Commission.

Tuesday, March 5, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Access to Archival Databases (AAD) for Genealogists
Archives specialist Daniel Law will show electronic records of interest to genealogists that are accessible on the National Archives Access to Archival Databases (AAD) online resource.

Thursday, March 7, at 11 a.m.
Repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, Lecture Room B

Wednesday, March 6, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Introduction to Genealogy at the National Archives
National Archives staff will discuss Federal records of interest to beginning genealogists for our first Wednesday of the month presentation.

Friday, March 8, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
When We Were Free To Be: Looking Back at a Children’s Classic and the Difference It Made
Join us as we discuss Free to Be . . . You and Me—the groundbreaking children’s record, book, and television special that debuted in 1972. Conceived by actress and producer Marlo Thomas and promoted by Ms. magazine, it captured the spirit of the growing women’s movement and inspired girls and boys to challenge stereotypes, value cooperation, and respect diversity. Our panel will consist of composer and lyricist Carol Hall and child development specialist Barbara Sprung. A book signing will follow the program.

Tuesday, March 12, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Searching for the Seventies: The Documerica Photography Project
Senior Curator Bruce Bustard will discuss the recently opened National Archives exhibit “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project” and share some of his favorite research discoveries.

Thursday, March 14, at 11 a.m.
Repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, Lecture Room B

Wednesday, March 13, at 9:30 a.m.
Library (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Genealogy Research Using the National Archives Online
Archives specialist Nancy Wing teaches a 90-minute hands-on workshop about navigating the National Archives website [www.archives.gov]. If you don’t know where to start or have gotten lost while doing genealogy research, this workshop will help you understand how to use the National Archives website to further your research goals. Registration required. Sign up at the Library or email nancy.wing@nara.gov.

Wednesday, March 27, at 9:30 a.m.
Repeated in the Library (Penn. Ave. Entrance)

Wednesday, March 13, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II
The Tennessee town of Oak Ridge was created from scratch in 1942 as one of the Manhattan Project’s secret cities. It was home to more than 75,000 people, many of them young women recruited from small towns across the South. Denise Kiernan discusses her book, The Girls of Atomic City, and the women who unwittingly played a crucial role in one of the most significant moments in U.S. history. A book signing will follow the program.

Thursday, March 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater and Lobby
Preservation EXPOsed!
Learn about preservation and caring for your personal treasures at our annual preservation fair. You can even bring in a document, book, photo, artifact, motion picture film, or audiovisual materials for a consultation with a conservator. Detailed program information is available. Write to Preservation@nara.gov or call Preservation Programs Officer Allison Olson at 301-837-0678 to schedule a consultation.

Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater
6th Annual Forum on Women in Leadership: Women in Military Leadership
What changes have taken place in the roles, opportunities, expectations, and obstacles for women in military leadership positions? A distinguished panel will discuss their personal journeys and what advice they would offer to young women entering the field. Moderated by Gale S. Pollock, USA Major General (Ret.) CRNA, FACHE, FAAN, and former Acting Surgeon General, panelists include Carol Mutter, USMC Lieutenant General (Ret.); Christine S. Hunter, USN Rear Admiral (Ret.); Sandra A. Gregory, USAF Brigadier General (Ret.); and Gina S. Farrisee, USA Major General (Ret.). Presented in partnership with The Military Officers Association of America and the Women’s Forum of Washington, DC. This program is generously supported by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc.

Saturday, March 16, at 10 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Beyond the Basics Genealogy: Revolutionary War Records
Claire Kluskens, archivist, discusses military service during the American Revolution including pension, treasury, and other records in the National Archives that provide evidence of military or patriotic service or information about the pensioner’s life after the war.

Saturday, March 16, noon–4 p.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
“Help! I'm Stuck” Genealogy Clinic
Has a genealogical problem stumped you? An archivist is available from noon to 4 p.m. to answer your research questions. Sign up for a 20-minute appointment at the Research Commons desk on Saturday.

Tuesday, March 19, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Declassification of NATO Records
Neil Carmichael, supervisory archivist for the Initial Processing and Declassification Division at the National Archives, discusses the declassification of NATO records in recognition of the agency's 64th anniversary.

Thursday, March 21, at 11 a.m.
Repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, Lecture Room B

Wednesday, March 20, at 11 a.m.
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Beyond the Basics: Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789
Constance Potter, reference archivist, will discuss how the Papers of the Continental Congress relate to genealogy, including journals and reports of the Congress, its committees, and members.

Wednesday, March 20, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
Fear Itself: The New Deal and the Origins of Our Time
Eighty years ago, FDR uttered his famous rallying cry to a nation: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Professor Ira Katznelson reinterprets the causes and consequences of the New Deal and its aftermath, putting new emphasis on the role of Congress and southern legislators in the formation of Depression-era foreign and domestic policy. A book signing follows the program.

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater
Earth Days
In conjunction with our exhibit “Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project,” we present Earth Days (2009; 102 mins.), which looks back to the dawn and development of the modern environmental movement. Filmmaker Robert Stone is scheduled to introduce the screening. Presented by the Charles Guggenheim Center for Documentary Film in partnership with the 2013 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital.

 

 

 

Friday, March 22, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
From the Vaults: The River and The Columbia
The River is Pare Lorentz’s monumental documentary about the exploitation and misuse of one of our greatest natural resources—the Mississippi River (1937; 32 mins.). In 1941, Woody Guthrie recorded songs for The Columbia (released in 1949; 30 mins), including some of his most famous compositions: “Roll On Columbia,” “Pastures of Plenty,” and “Grand Coulee Dam.” The Charles Guggenheim Center for Documentary Film presents these films in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the New Deal and in partnership with the 2013 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital.

 

 

 

 

Exhibitions

Permanent Exhibits

Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom

• Declaration of Independence
• Constitution
• Bill of Rights

“The Charters of Freedom: Our Nation’s Founding Documents” takes a fresh look at the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Using historical documents from the holdings of the National Archives, we answer two key questions about the Charters: “How did they happen?” and “Why are they important?” This Rotunda exhibit also touches on the roles played by women and slaves in the Revolutionary War. Don’t miss the remarkable story of Elizabeth Burgin’s heroic role in a successful plot to free soldiers from British prison ships.

“The Public Vaults” invites visitors into virtual stack areas to discover historic documents, films, maps, and photographs from the National Archives. In interactive displays, visitors may hear Presidents discuss some of the country’s greatest challenges, step into the boots of soldiers on the front lines, or follow an investigation of the sinking of the Titanic.

A special display celebrating President Nixon's centennial will feature artifacts related to the Apollo 11 mission and the original U.S./Soviet agreement of cooperation.

A rare print on parchment of the Declaration of Independence—made from the original copperplate engraved by William J. Stone in 1823—is on display for a limited time. Courtesy of David M. Rubenstein.

This year’s featured adventurer in “Polar Exploration” is Marie Peary Stafford, the daughter of explorer Robert E. Peary, who was born and spent the first months of her life in Greenland.

Magna Carta Display
The 1297 Magna Carta’s new interactive display allows visitors to closely examine the document, generate a translation from the original Latin, and discover the connections between Magna Carta and American history. The 1297 Magna Carta is on loan to the National Archives from David M. Rubenstein. West Rotunda Gallery

Special Exhibitions in Washington, DC

“Searching for the Seventies” Exhibit Opening
Bad fashion, odd fads, and disco dance music sum up the 1970s for many Americans. We contrast those years to the politically committed 1960s and economically booming 1980s. But the1970s were much more than leisure suits, streaking, and disco. During the seventies, profound changes took root in our politics, society, environment, and economy.

Take a new look at the decade through the lens of a Federal photography project called Project DOCUMERICA. Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1971, DOCUMERICA was born out of the decade’s environmental awakening. The photographers hired by the EPA took thousands of color photographs depicting pollution, waste, and blight, but they were given the freedom to also capture the era’s trends, fashions, and cultural shifts. Through September 8, 2013, Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery

Special Exhibit in College Park, Maryland

Auditorium Lobby at the National Archives Research Center:

"The Long View" features digitally produced facsimiles of historic panoramic photographs from the Still Picture holdings.

The exhibit not only showcases the wide variety of panoramic techniques, but also includes National Archives records such as cartographic maps and patent drawings that relate to the photographs. Thirty-four panoramas and other records are on display and span the period from 1864 to 1997.
See more panoramas online.

Online Exhibits

Dozens of exhibits can be experienced online. Visit Now!

To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis
An exhibit marking the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis..

“What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?”
Unearth the stories and personalities behind the increasingly complex programs and legislation that affect what we eat. Learn about the Government’s extraordinary efforts, successes, and failures to change our eating habits. Find out why the Government wanted us to “Eat the Carp,” “Share the Meat,” and “Know Our Onions.” There are over 100 original records in the exhibit—including folk songs, war posters, educational films, and even seed packets. From Revolutionary War rations to Cold War cultural exchanges, discover the multiple ways that food has occupied the hearts and minds of Americans and their Government.
Online exhibit

Discovering the Civil War
Unlock secrets, solve mysteries, and uncover unexpected events in this most extensive display ever assembled from the incomparable Civil War holdings of the National Archives.
Online exhibit

Eyewitness:  American Originals from the National Archives
Drawing on rarely displayed documents, audio recordings, and film footage culled from the extensive holdings of the National Archives and its Presidential libraries, "Eyewitness" features first-person accounts of watershed moments in history. Online exhibit

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