Welcome to For the Record, a dedicated newsletter with exclusive updates on One Nation, Many Stories—the Comprehensive Campaign for the National Archives. As a donor, you will receive these updates about the National Archives Museum’s transformation and reopening; our civics initiatives, programs, and exhibits; and preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. This newsletter and our accompanying email will make you among the first to know about key events and initiatives coming out of the Foundation, plus see firsthand the impact of your donation.

The Foundation also wants to be your text buddy! Text ARCHIVES to 21514 today to join our texting list for occasional updates and messages.

Despite the changes afoot, I want to thank you for your unwavering support to help us connect more citizens to our national history and heritage. Because of you, we are able to share America’s stories with generations today and into the future.

With gratitude,

Patrick Madden
Executive Director
National Archives Foundation

The National Archives Museum will reopen this October with new galleries, an education space, and a theater. This state-of-the-art visitor experience will feature interactive technology that allows for personalized engagement with original record displays—a first-of-its-kind experience in a history museum. Stay tuned for more details about the reopening celebrations!

When entering the new signature gallery, The American Story, visitors will use digital portals to tailor their visit based on their personal interests. From presidents and military history to the powers of government, space technology, and more, guests can collect and save documents, images, and videos in a “digital backpack” to share after their visit. See a sneak peek below!

Land and Home gallery
sponsored by the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation

Tom, what was your first experience with the National Archives?
Like so many Americans, I was taken by my parents and grandparents to see the Charters of Freedom at a young age. Years later, when I became president of the Foundation, I had the opportunity to pass on the torch and take my grandson Melvin—a budding history lover—into the Archives vaults. An Archivist showed us several of Abraham Lincoln’s telegrams and, when Melvin got to hold one (protected in a special covering), I turned to him and said, “You’re now one step separated from Abraham Lincoln.” This was a special moment for both of us.

Carol and Tom, why do you choose to give to the Foundation?
We give because while the government preserves the records, the Foundation helps to tell the stories behind them. The power of the documents lies in the power of the stories they tell. Too often, history is taught as memorizing names and dates—but that’s not history. We've included the Foundation in our wills because we believe you've got to share the documents with as many people as possible—where the real stories of history are found—for generations to come.

“The power of the documents lies in the power of the stories they tell."
– Tom Wheeler

Why do you believe it’s important to preserve and study American history?
History is the story of individuals and how they behaved in crucial moments. Napoleon Bonaparte often told his generals to study the great military campaigns of the past, and like Napoleon, we believe it’s important to evaluate history and learn from it. This isn’t to copy what others have done in the past, but rather to understand individuals’ diverse perspectives, what they were called upon to do, and why they acted in the way they did. The records found within the National Archives personify many of these events and decisions throughout American history, and can help you confront challenges and dilemmas in your own life.

America's 100 Docs
Leading up to our nation’s 250th anniversary, the National Archives Foundation and the More Perfect coalition will invite the American public to play America’s 100 Docs—a game for citizens to vote on our nation’s most significant records from the holdings of the National Archives. America’s 100 Docs will encourage public engagement and discourse around our nation’s most impactful moments and milestones—until ONE record is voted as the nation’s most significant document. After a final tournament-style voting challenge, the “winner” will be announced leading up to July 4, 2026.

Stay tuned for more updates on how to play America’s 100 Docs!

Public Awareness Campaign
As announced at the 2024 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony and Gala, the Foundation is preparing to launch the One Nation, Many Stories public awareness campaign. This campaign will invite the public to engage with America’s stories—many of which are found within the holdings of the National Archives. A campaign video ad is undergoing production and will begin broadcasting nationally in the summer of 2025.