The War Beneath the Waves: Mary Sears and the Navy's Oceanographic Unit

Past Exhibit
The War Beneath the Waves Mary Sears and the Navys Oceanographic Unit Current Exhibit … After World War II, Mary Sears was promoted to lieutenant commander and served as officer in charge of the Navy’s new Division of Oceanography. She retired as a commander in the Navy Reserve in 1963.  Mary Sears posing behind stacks of work, January 1, 1960. Photo courtesy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Archives After World War II, Mary Sears was promoted to lieutenant commander and served as officer in charge …

Freedmen's Bureau Marriage Records

Past Exhibit
Freedmens Bureau Marriage Records Ongoing Exhibit … The Freedmen’s Bureau helped newly freed people legalize their marriages. After the Civil War, the federal government established a War Department agency to help Americans transition from slavery to freedom. The Freedmen’s Bureau (1865–72) issued rations, operated hospitals and helped establish schools and unite families. It worked to resolve labor disputes and negotiate labor contracts. It also presided over and documented marriages between freed …

Betty Ford: Raising Breast Cancer Awareness

Past Exhibit
Betty Ford Raising Breast Cancer Awareness Past Exhibit … Cancer wherever it strikes the body, also strikes the spirit, and the best doctors in the world can't cure the spirit, only love and understanding can.  — Betty Ford, November 7, 1975 View Gallery Betty Ford's remarks to the American Cancer Society Just weeks after she became First Lady, Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer. On September 26, 1974, doctors discovered a lump in her breast during a routine medical examination. She underwent a …

First Continental Congress

Virtual Exhibit
First Continental Congress Virtual Exhibit … The First Continental Congress convened to discuss united resistance to the Coercive Acts and issued a Declaration of Rights and the Articles of Association. Recognizing that unity would be essential to forcing a repeal of the so-called "Intolerable Acts," the Continental Association formed local committees to put economic pressure on Parliament–and on their neighbors–to submit to patriotic …

Discovery Center

Web Page
Discovery Center Web Page … Coming Soon in 2025! The Discovery Center is currently closed to the public for renovations. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Center in the fall of 2025. During its renovation, our education staff will continue to facilitate on-site education programs for K–12 classes and teachers professional development sessions. Reservations for both programs should be made by emailing fieldtrips@nara.gov …

Opening the Vault: Washington and Franklin

Virtual Exhibit
Opening the Vault Washington and Franklin Virtual Exhibit … From May 7 to August 6, 2025, the National Archives Museum will feature historic, handwritten documents of two Founding Fathers: President George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. These items emphasize landmark milestones in American history, honoring the first Commander in Chief of the Continental Army and the first Postmaster General. These historic treasures also commemorate the 250th anniversaries establishing the U.S. Army and U.S. Postal …