News Article

National Archives Announces Spring Programs for Families

May 6, 2015

The National Archives today announced its schedule of Spring 2015 events for families to enjoy together.

These events are in addition to the popular sleepovers in the National Archives’ Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. Registration is open for the upcoming July 25, 2015, “History, Heroes and Treasures” sleepover, which invites children (aged 8-12 years old) and parents to spend the night in the home of the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. More information is available at: archivesfoundation.org/sleepover.

“Family programming allows children and their parents to create their own historic memories together and have a blast while exploring some of the nation’s most treasured documents,” said Patrick M. Madden, executive director of the National Archives Foundation.

The following upcoming public programs are free and open to the public. However, reservations are highly recommended. Go to archivesfoundation.org/events to reserve your spot.

Victory Garden Family Puppet Program: Saturday, May 16, 12:00-2:00PM

Join us for a fun, interactive puppet show focusing on the Victory Gardens of World War II. Plant a vegetable to take with you and start a victory garden of your own once you get home or create your own shadow puppet, just like the ones used in the show.

Explore Magna Carta: June 1- 30, Monday-Saturday, 10:00AM-4:00PM

Celebrate 800 years of conversations about personal rights and start your own as you delve into the history of Magna Carta through hands-on activities in the Boeing Learning Center.

Hands-on Digital Preservation Workshop: Wednesday, June 3, 5:30-7:30PM

Are your digital photos a mess on your computer? Do you need practical tips to organize and preserve these treasures? Through fun hands-on activities, National Archives Director of Digital Preservation will help you organize your digital collections and provide practical steps for preserving them.

Constitution-in-Action Learning Lab Family Program: July 1 and 7, 10:00AM-12:00PM and July 9, 10:00AM-12:00PM and 2:00PM-4:00PM

Families will take on the role of researchers and archivists for a day! During a two hour simulation, you are invited to help the President and his Communications Director prepare for a very special press conference. Families will work together to locate and analyze facsimile documents and find the connection each has to the Constitution.

These programs are made possible in part through the generous support of the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc. and the National Archives Foundation.

The National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station.


For press information and media RSVP, please contact Melissa Schwartz at Melissa.schwartz@bromwichgroup.com.

About the National Archives Foundation

The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at: archivesfoundation.org.

About the National Archives

The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent Federal agency that serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our Government, so people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The agency supports democracy, promotes civic education, and facilitates historical understanding of our national experience. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries, and online at: archives.gov.

About the National Archives Museum

The National Archives Museum, created by the National Archives in partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives, has transformed the visitor experience at the National Archives’ Washington, DC, building, and includes the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, the David M. Rubenstein Gallery and its Records of Rights permanent exhibition, the award-winning Public Vaults permanent gallery, the William G. McGowan Theater, the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery for special exhibits, the Boeing Learning Center, the Digital Vaults online exhibit, and the DocsTeach website. These components make the rich resources of the National Archives accessible to Americans nationwide.