Archivist of the US Bids Farewell

On April 1, 1985, the National Archives becomes an independent agency in the executive branch of the government. Its new name is the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

On April 15, after almost five years of service as Archivist of the United States, I will leave the National Archives to return to the University of Michigan. The reflective mood that always accom­panies major changes in one’s life prompts several thoughts about the immediate past and the future of the Na­tional Archives that I would like to share.

There is no question in my mind that the Archives is on the brink of a new era, one that promises much to our staff, our friends and supporters, and to all who use the holdings. The events of the past year—our “coming of age” with the celebration of the fiftieth anniversa­ry of the Archives and, particularly, the successful conclusion of the decades-old struggle to reestablish the Archives as independent agency—have made possi­ ble for the Archives to fulfill its promise. With the firm foundation of the numer­ous past achievements of the Archives as the guide, the potential for the future is truly great.

But the events of the past few years have also demonstrated two significant facts that are sometimes overlooked in our day-to-day lives. First, there is great and growing public support and interest in the work of the National Archives.

There are many ways to measure the growth of this: the number of reference requests, the enthusiasm of the visitors who view our exhibitions, and the atten­tion paid to Archives’ programs and holdings throughout the country. But, the deepest interest has been demon­strated by the coalition of individuals and organizations which supported the enactment of the Archives independence legislation. For the first time ar­chivists, historians, librarians, genealogists, records administrators, and citi­zens of all kinds came together to aid the National Archives. Their commit­ment will continue; their expectations will, to a large extent, shape the future priorities of the agency. They are the nucleus around which our enlightened public support will grow.

The second, and equally important fact that will shape the Archives future, is the outstanding professionalism and dedication of the staff. In the past five years, employees of the National Ar­chives have splendidly demonstrated their loyalty and professional integrity. For example, when budget reductions decimated our numbers in 1982, they did not succumb to defeatism. Instead, once the shock was over, they redefined their work, always remembering the central mission of the Archives, and accomplished more. They showed that neither uncertainty nor externally im­posed limitations would defeat them. They knew then, as they know now, that the work of the National Archives is important—that in a very real sense America’s understanding of its past de­pends upon the Archives; that archivists are the agents of civilization. I leave behind me colleagues whose ability and dedication I greatly respect.

In a sense, the successful conclusion of the thirty-five-year-old movement to reestablish the National Archives as an independent agency is symbolic of part of what is best about America. In the Archives building we proudly display the Constitution and the other great doc­uments of our nation’s past, as a demon­stration of the continued vitality of our government. Now the new status of the agency, which is charged with the custo­dy of these documents is proof that the system works. It has been an honor to serve as Archivist of the United States, to be the chief custodian of the three and a quarter billion documents and the other types of federal records that touch the lives of nearly every American.