National Archives and Records Administration

National Archives and Records Administration. It is an independent agency of the Federal government of the United States charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records. The agency ensures public access to the essential documents that trace the story of the United States, from the Charters of Freedom to modern electronic records. Operating under the leadership of the Archivist of the United States, it manages a vast network of facilities across the country.

History

The agency's origins trace to the establishment of the National Archives Establishment by Congress in 1934, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the enabling legislation. The iconic National Archives Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. was completed in 1935 under the supervision of architect John Russell Pope. A major reorganization occurred in 1949 when it was placed within the General Services Administration, but it regained its independent status through the Records Administration Act of 1984. Key historical figures in its development include the first Archivist, Robert D. W. Connor, and later leaders like Wayne Grover and James B. Rhoads.

Functions and responsibilities

The core mission is to safeguard and make accessible the permanently valuable records of the Federal government of the United States. This includes the preservation of original documents like the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The agency also oversees the complex lifecycle of federal records, from creation to final disposition, through its Records management programs. Furthermore, it administers the Presidential Libraries system, which preserves the papers and artifacts of presidents from Herbert Hoover onward, and manages the National Declassification Center.

Organization and facilities

The agency is led by the Archivist of the United States, currently Colleen Shogan, and is headquartered at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.. Its major public facilities include the National Archives at College Park (known as Archives II) in Maryland, which serves as a major processing and storage center. Across the nation, it operates numerous regional archives in cities such as New York City, Atlanta, and Seattle. The system also encompasses all presidential libraries, including the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Holdings and collections

The textual holdings are immense, spanning billions of pages that include military service records from conflicts like the American Revolutionary War and World War II, census records, and naturalization documents. Among its most treasured items are the Charters of Freedom, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Louisiana Purchase Treaty. The collections extend beyond paper to include millions of photographs, maps, architectural drawings, and motion picture films held by the National Audiovisual Conservation Center. Electronic records are a growing part of the collections, managed through systems like the Electronic Records Archives.

Public access and services

Public access is provided through research rooms in its facilities across the country, where individuals can examine original records and microfilm. A vast number of digitized records are available online through the National Archives Catalog, including popular resources for genealogical research. The agency offers educational programs and exhibits at the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C., and partners with institutions like the Smithsonian Institution for public outreach. Specialized reference staff assist researchers with topics ranging from Native American history to Cold War diplomacy.

Legal and regulatory framework

Its operations are governed by several key statutes, primarily the Federal Records Act and the Presidential Records Act. The agency issues regulations and guidelines, such as the Code of Federal Regulations pertaining to records management, which federal agencies must follow. It also enforces the Freedom of Information Act as it applies to archival records and oversees the declassification processes mandated by Executive Order 13526. Legal custody and authenticity of records are maintained under these laws, ensuring their integrity for Congress, the federal courts, and the public. Category:National Archives and Records Administration Category:National archives Category:Independent agencies of the United States government Category:Government agencies established in 1934