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Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 11855
Step into the ultimate history vault! Discover how the National Archives protects America’s most important records—from founding documents to digital files!
Start Here: A Mystery in the Archives!
Imagine you find an old, dusty chest in your attic. Inside, you discover a stack of handwritten letters, some with fancy seals and faded ink. As you carefully unfold one, you realize—it’s signed by George Washington!
Now, imagine this on a much larger scale. The United States has thousands of important documents, some of which shaped the country’s history.
That’s where the National Archives comes in!
Step inside this historic building in Washington, D.C., and you’ll find the nation’s most valuable records. The Archives is like a treasure chest of American history, from the Declaration of Independence to secret government files.
Find out!
Guardians of the Past: The National Archives
Lost Documents and a Big Problem
Believe it or not, at one time, some of America’s most important documents were scattered in basements, attics, and even barns!
Thomas Jefferson saw this as a disaster waiting to happen. He warned that “time and accident” were destroying history. But it wasn’t until 1926 that the government finally acted.
Congress approved the Public Buildings Act, launching a massive construction project that included a brand-new National Archives building. But this wasn’t just any building—it had to protect fragile, centuries-old paper from fire, water, and time itself!
A Fortress for History
Building the National Archives was no easy task. Architects had to design a structure that could do the following.
Keep documents safe from fires and floods.
Store thousands of feet of shelving.
Control temperature and humidity to prevent paper from falling apart.
After years of planning, the National Archives officially opened in 1935.
Today, the main building in Washington, D.C., remains the heart of the Archives, but there are now over 40 locations across the country!
What’s Inside?
The National Archives holds about 2% to 5% of all government documents created each year. That may not sound like much, but these records include the following.
A New Challenge: The Digital Age
Once, everything was written on paper. Today, most government work is digital, which means the National Archives has to adapt.
Instead of just storing old parchment, they now preserve emails, digital documents, and even social media posts from the White House.
From faded paper to digital files, the National Archives isn’t just about the past—it’s about keeping history alive for the future!
Head to the Got It? section to explore these treasures up close!
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