News Article

Archives at Home: Statement from Executive Director Patrick Madden

March 26, 2020

The National Archives Museum and research center in Washington D.C., and National Archives facilities across the country, closed indefinitely on March 14 to protect the health and safety of staff and visitors amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

Our National Archives Foundation family has braved many national challenges throughout the years, from 9/11 to flash flooding and the government shutdown last year that closed our doors for 35 days. Yet those circumstances pale in comparison to what we confront today. Our world is facing a set of unknowns with a scale and proportion that change by the day.  

During critical times in our nation’s past, we have looked to each other and come together as a community and a nation. Our current health crisis will make history. The stories that will end up being held in our national memory at the Archives are still being written.

Although our physical doors are closed, the staff and Board of the National Archives Foundation, along with our colleagues at the National Archives, promise to bring the vast resources and stories of our shared history to you. We hope what we share will inform, inspire and unite us. 

Each week, you can expect to hear from the Foundation as we send content centered around the American experience: stories of inspiration, entertainment, and when you need a laugh, a few unusual or silly relics from our past.

Count on us for content you can share with your entire family, children, friends, and neighbors! To start, we ask you to share your love of history with us. Share your photos, videos or favorite experiences at the Archives using the hashtag #ArchivesAtHome so we can give you a shout-out and weather this together.   

For National Archives Foundation content hot off the press, follow us on social media at @achivesfdn, signup for our newsletters and view our Archives at Home series online.