Unearthing History: 8 Fascinating Treasures at the National Archives and Records Administration

Have you ever wondered where important historic documents like the Declaration of Independence or the Emancipation Proclamation are kept? The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is in charge of keeping and preserving the significant documents of the United States federal government. Described as the “nation’s record keeper,” NARA holds not only the major foundational documents of the United States but also public records of ordinary citizens, such as military records, census rolls, and naturalization records.

NARA was first established in 1934 by President Franklin Roosevelt, but even Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson saw a need for the preservation of important records early on. According to NARA, “Records help us claim our rights and entitlements, hold our elected officials accountable for their actions, and document our history as a nation.”

For more than nine decades, NARA has preserved and provided access to these significant pieces of the nation’s past so that future generations can study and learn from them. You can explore many of these records for yourself, in person or online. Below are eight noteworthy examples of what you can find at NARA.

1. The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is one of the founding documents of the United States. It contains the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which grant the people of the United States freedom of speech, the right to peaceably assemble, the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and many other freedoms Americans have fought and died to protect. You can explore the history of the Bill as well as view a scan and a transcript online or visit the National Archives to see it in person.

2. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy shocked the country and spawned conspiracy theories that persist to this day. NARA’s JFK collection consists of over six million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings, and artifacts. With more documents being released and digitized, the collection available to the public continues to grow, allowing anyone to comb through and discover the truth of what happened for themselves.

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3. Sound Recordings from the Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld Case of 1975

Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld was a landmark case against gender discrimination in 1975. Representing the Appellee Stephen Wiesenfeld, Ruth Bader Ginsburg successfully argued before the Supreme Court that the gender-based distinction in the Social Security Act that allowed widows but not widowers to collect benefits while caring for minor children was unconstitutional. Ginsburg was later nominated to the Supreme Court herself in 1993. Recordings of the oral arguments are available to listen to online.

4. Civil War Maps and Plans

The Civil War was a dark, uncertain time for the United States as the country was split in two. Many people are fascinated by this period in history and how it influenced the path the country has taken since. The Cartographic Branch of the National Archives has over eight thousand maps, charts, and plans relating to the Civil War, covering topics such as battles and skirmishes, fortifications, cemeteries and hospitals, ship plans, and more. The National Archives offers a Civil War maps guidebook to help researchers and history fans sort through the abundance of records available.

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5. Photograph of the First Navajo Code-Talker Recruits Being Sworn In

The Navajo Code-Talkers of the US Marine Corps developed a spoken code that could not be deciphered. They used this special code during the Second World War to ensure messages about troop movements, battle plans, and other important communications could not be decrypted by enemy forces. NARA holds many records documenting the contributions of Native Americans during the war, including a photograph of the first twenty-nine Navajo Code-Talker recruits being sworn in at Fort Wingate, New Mexico, in 1942.

6. American Indian Census Rolls, 1885–1940

While the general population of the United States has to submit a census every ten years, Native American reservations used to submit census rolls annually, from 1885 to 1940. Individuals and families who had maintained formal connections with federally recognized tribes were included in these annual rolls. These census records offer a wealth of information for genealogists and anyone interested in researching Native American history.

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7. Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary Family Collection

While there is definitive proof of who reached the South Pole first, the claim to be the first man at the North Pole has long been under contention. Rear Admiral Robert Peary claimed he was the first, in 1909, but doubts linger over whether he truly reached the pole. Records also suggest that, even if Peary’s expedition did in fact reach the pole, it was actually Matthew Henson, an African American explorer who had accompanied Peary on multiple expeditions, who was the first to set foot there. Documents and photographs from Peary’s polar expeditions are available to peruse for anyone curious about this historic mystery.

8. Watergate Files

The Watergate scandal in the 1970s caused a constitutional crisis that fundamentally changed how Americans viewed the presidency, resulting in the resignation of President Nixon. Even today, major scandals are often given the suffix of “-gate” thanks to this notorious incident. Certain files pertaining to the scandal are available at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, whereas the infamous Nixon White House tape conversations are available at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Some of the records of the Watergate Special Prosecution Force are also available. There is plenty of information to go through for anyone fascinated by real-life political intrigue.

Many more records are available at NARA, preserved in locations across the country and with numerous digital files accessible online. These records are important pieces of American history, reminders of where this country has been and potential guides for where it should go. Explore what NARA has to offer, share it with friends and family, and discover all the hidden corners of this country’s past.