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May 2012
Washington, DC, Area Events

Program Highlights

• Jewish American Heritage Month
  Jonathan Sarna discusses his book When General Grant Expelled the Jews. (May 3)
• My Life in the News with Dan Rather
  Former CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather discusses the important moments of his career in his autobiography, Rather Outspoken: My Life in the News. (May 4)
• Archives Jeopardy!
  Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero hosts another edition of Archives Jeopardy! (May 9)
• Behind the Scenes of The Big Broadcast with Ed Walker
  WAMU’s Ed Walker and Rob Bamberger present samples of vintage radio broadcasts and discuss how the programs enriched the lives of Americans in the 1930s and 1940s. (May 10)
• Noontime Lectures
  Learn about The Rhode Island Campaign during the Revolutionary War (May 10), The Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 (May 16), Lindbergh and his competitors in the race across the Atlantic (May 23), and Martha Jefferson Randolph, daughter of Thomas Jefferson (May 31).
• 1940: America Goes to the Movies Film Series
  Rebecca, Alfred Hitchcock’s first American film. (May 19)
• Know Your Records
  A variety of programs explore records held by the National Archives. (May 2, 8, 15, 16, 22, 29).

Wednesday, May 2, at 11 a.m.
Introduction to Genealogy
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Archives staff present a lecture on basic genealogical research in Federal records on the first Wednesday of the month. May focuses on military records.

Thursday, May 3, at 7 p.m.
When General Grant Expelled the Jews
William G. McGowan Theater
In partnership with the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington, we welcome Jonathan Sarna to discuss his book When General Grant Expelled the Jews, an account of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s order to expel all Jews from the territory under his command in December 1862. Journalist, writer, and political commentator Steven V. Roberts will join the discussion. The program is co-sponsored by the Washington DCJCC, the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, the Jewish War Veterans, the Foundation for Jewish Studies, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Jewish Community Relations Council. A book signing will follow the program.

Friday, May 4, at noon
Rather Outspoken: My Life in the News
William G. McGowan Theater
Former CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather discusses the important moments of his career in his autobiography, including a frank accounting of his dismissal from CBS News and inside stories about the people he has interviewed or worked with over his more than 60 years as a professional journalist. A book signing will follow the program. Seating is first-come, first-served, no reservations accepted, doors open at 11:15 a.m. at the Special Events Entrance.

Tuesday, May 8, at 11 a.m.
The Cornerstone of Genealogy: Vital Records from an Untapped Source
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Susannah E. Brooks presents a new source for German research—vital records kept by the U.S. Consulate Offices in Germany in the 19th and early 20th centuries—with an emphasis on marriages and marriage contracts from the 1850s. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, May 10, at 11 a.m.)

Wednesday, May 9, at noon
The Return of Archives Jeopardy!
William G. McGowan Theater
Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero hosts another edition of Archives Jeopardy! Audience members will be selected to test their historical knowledge and win prizes.

Thursday, May 10, at noon
The Rhode Island Campaign
William G. McGowan Theater
On July 29, 1778, a French naval squadron sailed to the entrance of Narragansett Bay. In The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War, Christian McBurney unravels one of the most multifaceted events of the war. A book signing will follow the program.

Thursday, May 10, at 7 p.m.
Behind the Scenes of The Big Broadcast
William G. McGowan Theater
In conjunction with the release of the 1940 Federal population census, Ed Walker, host of WAMU’s longest-running radio show, The Big Broadcast, and Rob Bamberger, host of Hot Jazz Saturday Night, will discuss the history of the show, present a sampling of the vintage radio broadcasts, and discuss how the programs enriched the lives of Americans in the 1930s and 1940s.

Tuesday, May 15, at 11 a.m.
Privacy Act and Personally Identifiable Information
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Hannah Bergman, Assistant General Counsel, discusses the Privacy Act and how it affects public access to records with personally identifiable information. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, May 17, at 11 a.m.)

Wednesday, May 16, at 11 a.m.
Beyond the Basics: War of 1812
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
Archives staff teach “beyond the basics” archival research skills on the third Wednesday of the month. John Deeben provides an introduction to records relating to Volunteer and Regular Army services during the War of 1812.

Wednesday, May 16, at noon
The Gods of Prophetstown: The Battle of Tippecanoe and the Holy War for the American Frontier
William G. McGowan Theater
Author Adam Jortner discusses the largely forgotten account of the conflict that arose between the Shawnee leader Tenskwatawa, his brother Tecumseh, and William Henry Harrison, governor of the Indiana Territory in 1811. A book signing will follow the program.

Saturday, May 19 at noon
1940: America Goes to the Movies Film Series
William G. McGowan Theater
Rebecca, Alfred Hitchcock’s first American film, stars Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. (1940; 130 minutes)

Tuesday, May 22, at 11 a.m.
Railsplitter Revealed: The Search for Abraham Lincoln at the National Archives
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
David J. Gerleman, assistant editor for the Papers of Abraham Lincoln, explains their mission to find previously unknown Lincoln documents. These new finds showcase the array of problems and requests that crossed Lincoln’s desk during the Civil War. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Thursday, May 24, at 11 a.m.)

Wednesday, May 23, at noon
Atlantic Fever: Lindbergh, His Competitors, and the Race to Cross the Atlantic
William G. McGowan Theater
For eight years, a prize of $25,000 for the first successful flight across the Atlantic sat unclaimed until the spring of 1927, when eight aviators suddenly vied for the prize. Joe Jackson discusses this dynamic race to cross the ocean and the larger-than-life personalities of the aviators. This program will also be webcast live at www.ustream.tv/NARA. A book signing follows the program.

Tuesday, May 29, at 11 a.m.
Department of State Records
Room G-25, Research Center (Penn. Ave. Entrance)
David Langbart, archivist, surveys the records of the Department of State in the National Archives. (The lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, Wednesday, May 30, at 11 a.m.)

Thursday, May 31, at noon
Martha Jefferson Randolph, Daughter of Monticello: Her Life and Times
William G. McGowan Theater
Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, was well educated and known on two continents for her grace and sincerity. As hostess at Monticello, she debated issues ranging from a woman’s place to slavery, religion, and democracy. In this biography, Cynthia Kierner shows us American history from the perspective of this intelligent woman. A book signing will follow the program.

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 celebrates the lives of First Ladies Patricia Nixon and Betty Ford.

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.

1297 Magna Carta
The 1297 Magna Carta has returned in its new state-of-the-art encasement and interactive display. Visitors can 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 Rubenstein. West Rotunda Gallery

Special Exhibitions in Washington, DC

Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary
The National Archives celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting with a Featured Document display of items exploring the contributions of two-time Girl Scout president and First Lady, Lou Henry Hoover. May 25 to June 17, East Rotunda Gallery

“Benjamin Franklin:  In Search of a Better World”
Founding father, scientist, diplomat, humorist, philanthropist, entrepreneur, rebellious teen—Benjamin Franklin is one of the most remarkable and influential Americans. Learn more about Franklin and discover his impact on your world in this electrifying new exhibit organized by the Minnesota Historical Society. Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, through May 6.
“Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” is made possible in part by the Foundation for the National Archives with generous support from the General Motors Foundation

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!

“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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