An 'American Conversation' with Ken Burns and Allen Weinstein
Press Release · Thursday, January 5, 2006

Press Release
January 5, 2006

An "American Conversation" with Ken Burns and Allen Weinstein

Washington, D.C. On Thursday, February 9, 2006, at 7 p.m., the National Archives presents an "American Conversation" between Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein. They will discuss Ken Burns' past works and his latest project on World War II, The War, to be released in 2007. This program is the fourth in a National Archives series of discussions on American history and identity.

"Ken Burns is one of the finest documentary filmmakers in the world," said Allen Weinstein. "His ability to use historical materials to capture the spirit of an earlier era is unparalleled. I look forward to discussing his upcoming projects."

Previous guests in this series include Norman Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, historian Lynne Cheney, and founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Lonnie Bunch. Video of past programs can be viewed on the National Archives web site: http://www.archives.gov/about/archivist/conversations/.

Events in this series are held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., located on the National Mall at Constitution Ave. and 7th Street, N.W. and fully accessible. All programs in the "American Conversations" series are free and open to the public. Reservations can be made by e-mail (public.program@nara.gov) or telephone (202-357-5000).

Ken Burns has been making documentary films for more than twenty years. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, he has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War (1990) and Baseball (1994). The War, a seven-part series, produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, will examine the myriad ways in which the Second World War touched the lives of every family throughout America. By focusing on the stories of ordinary people in four quintessentially American towns -Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alabama; Sacramento, California; and the tiny farming town of Luverne, Minnesota - the series will portray this enormous worldwide struggle on an intimate, human scale. Mr. Burns is a member of the board of the Foundation for the National Archives.

Allen Weinstein was confirmed as the ninth Archivist of the United States in February 2005. Professor Weinstein, a former Professor of History who has held positions at Boston University, Georgetown University, and Smith College, is the author of numerous essays and books, including The Story of America (2002), The Haunted Wood: Soviet Espionage in America-The Stalin Era (1999), Perjury: The Hiss-Chambers Case (1978 & 1997), and Freedom and Crisis: An American History (3rd edition, 1981). From 1985 to 2003, he served as President of The Center for Democracy in Washington, DC. His international awards include the United Nations Peace Medal (1986).

* * *

06-50