Films at the National Archives William G. McGowan Theater in October 2004
Press Release · Friday, August 20, 2004

Washington, DC

Press Release
August 20, 2004

Films at the National Archives William G. McGowan Theater in October 2004

Washington, DC . . .The National Archives and Records Administration will present free film screenings in its new William G. McGowan Theater with topics relating to the Adams family, the American Red Cross, Native American history and a special Dr. Seuss and John Philip Sousa weekend. All screenings are free and open to the public. The McGowan Theater is located in the National Archives Building on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, DC.

The William G. McGowan Theater is a centerpiece of the new National Archives Experience, a multi-year initiative that will more than triple the exhibition spaces and public educational and programming facilities of the National Archives on the Mall in Washington, DC. It will be one of the nation’s leading centers for documentary film, as well as a prominent forum for the discussion and exploration of great issues of American history, democracy and government.

Saturday, October 2 & Sunday, October 9
The Adams Chronicles
This month, the National Archives concludes its presentation of the landmark 13-part PBS production, first aired in 1975, that brings to life five generations of one of America's leading political and historical families. Episodes 7-9 will be shown on Saturday, October 2 at 3 p.m. Episodes 10-13 will be shown on Saturday, October 9 at 2 p.m.

Tuesday, October 12
Thomas Edison: American Red Cross & Patent for Motion Picture Film
In 1910, the American Red Cross approached Thomas Edison to make a series of films on tuberculosis and the Christmas Seal campaign. Thomas Goehner, Director of Museum Education at the American Red Cross Museum will introduce these films that are among the earliest public health promotional films ever produced in the United States: Hope: A Red Cross Story (1912), and The Temple of Moloch (1914). In addition, on October 18, 1904 Edison received the patent for motion picture film. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of this historic achievement, select films from the National Archives' motion picture holdings will be shown. 12:00 noon.

Tuesday, October 19
Native American History
Coming to Light: Edward S. Curtis and the North American Indians (2000)
This acclaimed documentary is an in-depth portrait of Edward S. Curtis, the preeminent photographer of North American Indians. In 1900, Curtis set out to document traditional Indian life. He eventually created an enormous body of work - 40,000 photographs, 10,000 recordings, as well as a full-length ethnographic motion picture. Directed by Anne Makepeace. (84 minutes.) 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 30 & Sunday, October 31
National Archives Experience Special Event:
Seuss and Sousa Family Weekend

To start its new series of weekend programs for the whole family, the National Archives is celebrating the birthdays of two famous Americans. This fall marks the 100th birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) and the 150th birthday of American composer and DC native, John Philip Sousa. Generations of Americans have enjoyed their work but did you know that both men worked for the federal government? As keepers of the federal records, we honor these two public servants.

Saturday, October 30, will be dedicated to Dr. Seuss. Starting at 10:30 a.m. a program of Seuss-related cartoons including Private Snafu, a character Theodore Geisel created for the U.S. military, with a repeat performance at 2 p.m. "SeussCentennial" will be performed by Kindred Spirit in the William G. McGowan Theater. Professor Richard Minear will discuss his book, Dr. Seuss Goes to War. Also on Saturday, a pre-election sneak peak for kids, as two authors will talk about their books: Chuck Fischer will talk about The White House: A Pop-Up Book, giving kids an insider's view, and Elissa Grodin will talk about D is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet, showing children how the electoral process works.

Sunday, October 31, will feature the work of John Philip Sousa. Starting at 12:00 noon a screening of the 1952 Hollywood biopic Stars and Stripes Forever, starring Clifton Webb as Sousa (89 minutes) will be shown. The day will continue with a special program of speakers and musical performances celebrating Sousa's life and work. All programs will take place in the William G. McGowan Theater.

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For PRESS information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or (202) 501-5526.

To verify the date and times of the programs, the public should call the Public Programs Line at: (202) 501-5000, the hearing impaired should call TDD (202) 501-5404 for information, or view the Calendar of Events on the web at: www.archives.gov/calendar/index.html

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