American Archives Month Employee Spotlights - Kelly Barton
Name: Kelly Barton
Job Title: Archivist at the Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
How long have you worked at the National Archives?
35 years as of September 2024.
What made you interested in being an archivist? Why did you want to work at your Presidential Library in particular?
My graduate studies took me into the public history field. From there, I thought it would be interesting dealing with original documents, so I went into archives. I was finishing my MA degree in the summer of 1989 when NARA issued the postings for the first Reagan archives staff to be hired after his materials came to California. I was able to get one of the positions. I have always had great respect for President Reagan. And as a native of the Los Angeles area, I appreciated not having to move too far.
Give us an overview of your job. What are some of your responsibilities?
My current responsibilities include processing records in response to non-classified FOIA requests, corporate records management, and handling reference every Wednesday.
What’s the strangest thing that’s happened to you in this line of work? What’s the best?
The Reagan Library is on a hill in the middle of open space, so we have had some wildlife encounters. A few snakes, rattlesnakes included, have made their way into the building and grounds over the years.
A highlight was being able to see Ronald Reagan in person on more than one occasion. He visited our first two staff holiday parties in 1989 and 1990, when we were still at a temporary site. I have autographed photos of the two of us.
I attended the dedication of the library in 1991, along with the five living Presidents and six living First Ladies. I was also able to attend the funeral services at the library for Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
What’s your favorite fact about the President for your particular library?
Reagan often noted that in his younger days, he saved 77 lives as a river lifeguard in Illinois. Another rescue came in 1969, while Governor Reagan was hosting a backyard party for his staff and their families. A girl fell off of a raft in the swimming pool and started to sink. Reagan dove into the pool, fully clothed, and pulled her to safety.
You’re having dinner with the President of your library. What restaurant would you take him to or what would you cook? What artifact would you ask him about? Why?
For dinner, we could have some of the items from the library’s list of favorite Reagan foods: Split pea soup, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, eggplant lasagna for a vegetable course, and chocolate cake for dessert. We could also have jellybeans to go, of course.
Our museum holdings include many saddles and belt buckles. It would be interesting to ask if Reagan had any favorites among them.
If you were making a movie about your President, what would the tagline be and who would you cast? Why?
Of course, there’s a movie about Ronald Reagan in theaters right now. I haven’t seen it yet. Given a choice, I really don’t know who I would cast as Reagan. I’ve seen and read so much about the actual man that it would be hard to pick someone else to portray him.
What's your favorite document, and why?
My first thought was of the many letters that President Reagan personally drafted over the years. The originals are in protected storage, of course, but preservation copies are often available to the public.
For example, we have the handwritten draft of Reagan's letter to Soviet leader Brezhnev, written shortly after Reagan was discharged from the hospital following the March 1981 assassination attempt.
What advice would you have for someone interested in a career in archival work, or how would you convince someone to consider a career in archival work?
It’s great being able to work with the original material from our history. There are many courses of study from which you can get training in archival work, including from several colleges and archival organizations.
Lastly (and most important), why should people visit or learn more about your Presidential Library?
Ronald Reagan and his policies still generate a lot of debate—more than other recent Presidents, I would say. Whatever your opinion of him, he had an impact on our country and the world that is still being felt. The Reagan Library is the place to learn about the man, his life, and his Presidency.