Press/Journalists

Karl Weissenbach Named New Director of Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
Press Release · Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Washington, DC…The National Archives and Records Administration announced today the appointment of Karl Weissenbach as the new director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene Kansas. The appointment was made by Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein, who directs the National Archives which includes 12 Presidential Libraries. Mr. Weissenbach, who is currently Deputy Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, will assume his duties on April 27, 2008. He succeeds Dan Holt who is retiring after 18 years as Director of the Library.

In making the appointment, Professor Weinstein said, “I am delighted that Karl Weissenbach will lead the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. His dedication and experience during his 29 years with the National Archives is unparalleled. Karl’s creative energy and his knowledge of Presidential Libraries will increase the reach of the Eisenhower Library, not only in the Abilene community, but beyond. I look forward to working with him in his new position.”

David Eisenhower, grandson of President Eisenhower, said, “The Eisenhower Library is fortunate to have as its new director an individual of dedication and high professional achievement. I look forward to working with Karl Weissenbach as the Eisenhower Library enters a new and exciting era.”

“I was very pleased at Karl Weissenbach's appointment as Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum” said Stewart Etherington, President of the Eisenhower Foundation. “His knowledge and background made him the perfect person for the position. Karl and his family are a great asset to our community, and the Eisenhower Foundation looks forward to working with him to promote the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, and to preserve and expand the legacy of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

Mr. Weissenbach joined the Eisenhower Presidential Library in 2005. As Deputy Director he directed several management audits of Library programs that resulted in additional staff participation in supporting public programs, new marketing initiatives for public programming, increased access to archival holdings, and redesign of the web site. Under his leadership, the Eisenhower Presidential Library is exploring new collaborative programs with educational and legacy institutions such as Kansas State University. He is active in community work. He is the chair of a City of Abilene task force that is charged with addressing short and long term complex growth issues, and is a member of the Economic Development Commission in Abilene.

Before relocating to Abilene in 2005, He was the Director of the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff in College Park, MD. As the Director of the Nixon Staff, he addressed complex access issues, oversaw the release of over 2,000 hours of Nixon White House tape recordings, and approximately 3 million pages of Nixon materials. Prior to joining the Nixon Staff, he was responsible for the management of the National Archives main reading room and microfilm reading room, and served as a consultant on the National Archives holdings in the consultant’s office. While residing in Maryland, he was active in his local community of Cascade where he headed a community organization, and co-founded a self-help 501c3 foundation to address area needs in communities adjacent to the Pennsylvania-Maryland border near Camp David.

Mr. Weissenbach holds a B.A. in Political Science from American University in Washington, DC, and an A.A. from Reinhardt College in Waleska, Georgia.

He resides in Abilene, with his wife Jessica, and their two children, Benjamin and Anastasia.

About the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is one of 12 Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. The Library, located in Abilene Kansas--the hometown of President Eisenhower--is a national repository for the preservation of historical papers, audiovisual materials, and artifacts relating to Dwight D. Eisenhower, the only five-star general to become President.

Through an active acquisitions program, the Library continues to expand its holdings. At the time the Library opened for research in 1966, there were approximately 12 million pages; that number now exceeds 26 million pages. In addition to the textual holdings, the Library has over 300,000 photographs and 66,000 museum artifacts.

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum makes these records accessible through research, museum exhibits, public programs, and educational outreach. The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is highly regarded for its outstanding education and outreach program. Five Star Leaders, an experiential-learning program for students and adults, now features two scenarios--D-Day and Crisis at Little Rock.

The Library is active in developing partnerships with area schools, colleges, and universities that bring students to the Library for programs such as Eisenhower Day, primary research, archives tours and document exercises, and document displays. The Teaching American History grant program, Primary Teaching, and other teacher workshops have introduced teachers from across the United States to the life and times of President Eisenhower.

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For Press information please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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