The National Archives Building Becomes a Historic Landmark
I want to share good news—the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, is now a National Historic Landmark. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland signed the designation on December 13, 2023.
The new status comes more than 50 years after the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Federal Triangle in 1966. It was also listed individually in 1971. The status covers the National Archives Building as well as the entire 5.2-acre square and green spaces, the sculptures flanking both main entrances, and the small garden and monument stone to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which was dedicated in 1965.
The nomination recognized the building’s significance as the first archives built specifically for federal records in the United States and as a masterpiece work of architect John Russell Pope. The building is an exceptional example of American Classicism in art and architecture—it is adorned with a seemingly endless array of neoclassical architectural themes symbolizing the tradition of democracy derived from ancient Greece and Rome.
On February 20, 1933, when President Herbert Hoover laid the building’s cornerstone, I believe he accurately predicted, “This temple of our history will appropriately be one of the most beautiful buildings in America, an expression of the American soul. It will be one of the most durable, an expression of the American character.”
After the building opened in 1935, it housed generations of staff who pioneered and improved archival techniques that were emulated by archives around the country. The designation recognizes that by facilitating access to knowledge, our iconic building—and the National Archives and Records Administration as an institution—advances an educated, civic-minded populace. This is the core mission of the National Archives, and we take pride in the part we play in strengthening our nation’s democracy. I want to thank all of you who too support civic education by making your own collections available.
Not only are archives invaluable to supporting general access to knowledge, archival collections were crucial for us to achieve this designation. It was the culmination of a nearly 10-year effort with copious research undertaken at the National Archives and other archival repositories.
The National Archives is also the permanent home to records related to the National Historic Landmark and the National Register of Historic Places programs, so when its disposition is up, our historic building’s nomination papers will make their way back to us at the National Archives. These records are a rich resource for anyone interested in researching our nation’s historic and archeological treasures, and many can be found in the National Archives Catalog.
Visit our website to learn more about the National Archives Building’s historic designation and the next time you are in Washington, DC, come see our National Historic Landmark property.