NHPRC Receives Top SAA Award
Press Release · Monday, August 17, 2009

Washington, DC

Top Service Award from the Society of American Archivists (SAA) honors NHPRC

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the grant making affiliate of the National Archives that awards grants to archives and historical records projects, has received the 2009 Distinguished Service Award from the Society of American Archivists (SAA).

Established in 1964, the SAA award recognizes an archival institution, education program, nonprofit organization, or governmental organization that has provided outstanding public service and has made an exemplary contribution to the archival profession. The award was presented at the SAA annual meeting in Austin, on August 14.

“The NHPRC records grant program has arguably done more to advance our nation's archives and records programs and the archival profession than any other program or organization,” the SAA noted. The NHPRC “supports the application of strategic, analytical thinking to the management of historical records, and it encourages the archives profession to develop a coordinated vision and standardized practices” the SAA added.

“This is a fitting tribute on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of both the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and the National Archives,” said Kathleen Williams, Executive Director of the NHPRC. “But the award is about much more than the importance of the NHPRC to the archives community. It recognizes that the nation’s historical records belong to the people of the United States, and that the Federal government plays a critical and catalytic role in ensuring the preservation of our heritage and in making our history available to all Americans now and for generations to come,” she added.

Background on the NHPRC

Established by Congress along with the National Archives in 1934 to preserve and publish historical records of national significance, the NHPRC funds competitive grant programs for publishing historical records, basic and detailed archives processing, digitizing historical records, electronic records research and preservation, the development of strategies and tools for archives and documentary editing projects, and professional education projects. In addition to awarding grants -- some 4,600 projects connecting Americans with the primary source materials of our history, culture, and democracy -- the NHPRC works in concert with state historical records boards and state archives. A list of current grant programs, application materials, information on current Members, and the agency’s history and mission can be found on the NHPRC web site (www.archives.gov/nhprc/).

The Acting Archivist of the United States, Adrienne Thomas, is the Chairman of the Commission. The NHPRC is the sole Federal funding agency whose only focus is the documentary heritage of the United States.

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For press information contact NHPRC Communications Director, Keith Donohue at 202-357-5365 or keith.donohue@nara.gov.

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