Press Release
Press Release · Wednesday, July 2, 2003

Press Release
July 2, 2003

History Book Fair Part of National Archives Fourth of July Celebration At Union Station

Washington, D.C. . . On July 4, as part of the National Archives’ free, day-long celebration of the 227th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the National Archives Lecture Program will host a book fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the West Hall of Union Station (50 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.). The theme of this year’s annual program, is “Freedom’s Journey, A National Archives 4th of July”.

Local authors will sign copies of their books throughout the day, and additional signed titles will be available for purchase.

Schedule of authors:

11 a.m. to Noon – Rosalyn Schanzer, How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark (National Geographic); and How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning (Harpercollins Juvenile Books) reading level 9-12 years.

Noon to 1 p.m. – Laura Krauss Melmed, Capital!: Washington D.C. from A to Z (Harpercollins Juvenile Books) reading level 4-8 years.

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Rebecca Jones, The Biggest (and Best) Flag that Ever Flew (Tidewater Pub) reading level 4-8 years.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Betsy Kraft, Theodore Roosevelt: Champion of the American Spirit (Clarion Books) reading level young adult.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Syl Sobel will sign his four books, Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts (Barrons Juveniles); The U.S. Constitution and You (Barrons Juveniles); Our Pledge of Allegiance (Word Association Publishers); and How the U.S. Government Works (Barrons Juveniles) reading level 9-12 years.

4 to 5 p.m. – Bradley Gernand, A Virginia Village Goes to War: Falls Church During the Civil War (Donning Company Publishers) adult non fiction.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Signed copies of nine local authors will be for sale:

• Children’s author Elisa Carbone’s two books, Stealing Freedom, based on a true story - a compelling tale of the underground railroad (Young Yearling); and Storm Warriors, about the U.S. Lifesaving Service of the late 19th century (Knopf) reading level 9-12 years.
  
• Carla Golembe, author of Washington DC ABC's (Vacation Spot Pub) reading level 4-8 years.
  
• Bill Gilbert’s book, The Seasons: Ten Memorable Years in Baseball, and in America (Citadel Press) Adult non-fiction.
  
• Ellen H. Showell’s work, From Indian Corn to Outer Space, Women Invent in America (Cobblestone Publishing, Inc.) reading level 9-12 years.
  
• Margaret Blair’s two works of civil war historical fiction, Brothers at War and House of Spies (White Mane Publishing Co) reading level 9-12 years.
  
• Young Adult author Catherine Reef’s two biographies, Walt Whitman and John Steinbeck (both Clarion Books) reading level 9-12 years.
  
• National Archives curator Bruce Bustard’s work, Picturing the Century: 100 Years of Photography at the National Archives (University of Washington Press) adult non-fiction.
  
• National Archives curator Stacey Bredhoff’s work, American Originals (University of Washington Press) adult non-fiction.
  
• National Archives specialist DeAnne Blanton’s book, They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers in the American Civil War (Louisiana State University Press) adult non-fiction.

When the National Archives in Washington, DC reopens its Rotunda on September 18, 2003, it will not only unveil the newly re-encased Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, but will launch the start of a whole new National Archives Experience that will educate and inspire Americans. The National Archives Experience will help visitors, both in person and online, to discover and share in the spirit embodied in documents as diverse as the Emancipation Proclamation, Edison’s patent application for the light bulb, census data, and recordings of Franklin Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats.

The National Archives Experience will continue to unveil new components through 2004.

For more information about the National Archives Experience, visit the National Archives online at www.archives.gov.

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