Press Release nr98-25
Press Release · Wednesday, November 26, 1997

Washington, DC

Washington, DC . . .In January, the National Archives and Records Administration presents several free lectures and booksignings that examine a wide range of topics.

The programs are free and open to the public and will take place at the downtown National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The public may verify times and dates by calling the National Archives public events line at 202-501-5000 (TDD users may call 202-501-5404).

Wednesday, January 21
Black History series: Documenting Conflict: Emancipation in the Federal City
Records in the National Archives document many pivotal and significant events in our nation’s history. Dr. Michael J. Kurtz, Assistant Archivist for the Office of Records ServicesCWashington, DC, will discuss the dramatic story of slave emancipation in Washington, DC in 1862 from the records of the Treasury Department. The records document the conflicts and the final triumph that characterized emancipation in the federal city. The audience will be able to view the original Emancipation Proclamation which is on special dispaly in the National Archives Rotunda immediately following the lecture. Noon. Room 105.

Monday, January 26
A Conversation with Historians and Booksigning
Benjamin Welles, a former New York Times foreign correspondent who has written a new biography of his father, Sumner Welles: FDR’s Global Strategist: A Biography, will be interviewed by historians Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.and Douglas Brinkley. Sumner Welles led a distinguished diplomatic career, including service as Franklin Roosevelt’s Under-Secretary of State, until an unfolding scandal in 1943 forced his resignation. The author describes Sumner Welles’ accomplishments, the history of his times, and the Roosevelt Presidency. Today’s program will be introduced by Michael Flamini, senior editor, St. Martin’s Press. Room 105. Noon.

Tuesday, January 27
Political Commentary
George F. Will discusses his latest book, The Woven Figure: Conservatism and America’s Fabric, a collection of essays culled from favorite columns of the past few years. Themes explored include the role of government, legislative ambition, and the relationship with the judiciary branch. Mr. Will’s syndicated column appears biweekly in The Washington Post and more than 480 newspapers nationally. Noon. Theater.

Thursday, January 29
Franklin D. Roosevelt Program
Photographer Diane Smook and writer Kelli Peduzzi spent 5 years documenting and photographing sculptor Neil Estern as he created the statues for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Park in Washington, DC. Today all three join in showing slides from the project, tracing the development of the statues from scale models to bronze casting at the Tallix Art foundry. The book by Smook and Peduzzi is "Shaping a President: Sculpting for the Roosevelt Memorial," published by Millbrook Press. Noon. Theater.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or e-mail public.affairs@nara.gov.

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