American Archives Month Employee Spotlights - Corbin Apkin
Name: Corbin Apkin
Job Title: Archivist at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
How long have you worked at the National Archives?
Since November 2015, so almost nine years.
What made you interested in being an archivist? Why did you want to work at your Presidential Library in particular?
I've always been interested in history, so working in archives seemed like a natural career path for me. I'm from Massachusetts, so I have a connection with the Boston area. I also find the 1960s to be such an interesting time period, so being able to work with materials from the Kennedy Presidency everyday is a privilege.
Give us an overview of your job. What are some of your responsibilities?
I mostly work in reference. I answer questions that are emailed to our reference inbox and help patrons with their research. I also work in the research room helping onsite researchers. I've been working on updating the descriptions for our audiovisual holdings as well to help make them more accessible to the staff and public.
What’s the strangest thing that’s happened to you in this line of work? What’s the best?
When I was originally an intern at the JFK Library back in 2014, I found a telegram that my uncle sent to the President inviting him to attend an event in my hometown of Williamstown, Massachusetts, as well as the White House's response. It was very surreal seeing this telegram in the White House correspondence. The best thing that's happened to me is seeing my name in the acknowledgments of a book for the first time. I helped a researcher back when I was an intern when they were writing a book about JFK and PT-109, and they kindly thanked me in their book. It was really cool seeing that.
What’s your favorite fact about the President for your particular library?
My favorite John F. Kennedy fact is his connection to the Omni Parker House hotel in Boston. He announced his run for Congress and proposed to Jacqueline Kennedy there. I used to stay there as a kid when my family would visit Boston and I didn't know about Kennedy's connection to it until much later, but looking back, I think it's interesting that we both have a connection to the famed hotel.
You’re having dinner with the President of your library. What restaurant would you take him to or what would you cook? What artifact would you ask him about? Why?
I would take President Kennedy to Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I always went there growing up , and I still think it's the best burger in the Boston area. It's right near Harvard, too, so I would imagine I might be able to ask him about his college days. I would ask him about the famous coconut that he wrote a message on asking for help, which saved his crew after his torpedo boat, PT-109, was hit and exploded. This story is well documented, but I think it would be interesting to hear the story from the President firsthand.
If you were making a movie about your President, what would the tagline be and who would you cast? Why?
The tagline would be "An Idea Lives On." (From the quote "A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.") I would cast Matt Damon as President Kennedy. I think he could pull it off.
What's your favorite document, and why?
My favorite document is the Mr. Zip artwork from the H. Bentley Hahn Personal Papers. Hahn developed the Zip Code so his papers include promotional materials from when it was implemented. Mr. Zip was the mascot used to help promote and explain the Zip Code. It's a clever character, and I always enjoy when Mr. Zip pops up.
What advice would you have for someone interested in a career in archival work, or how would you convince someone to consider a career in archival work?
My advice would be to do archival internships as early as you can. Archives are best learned on the job, so being familiar with how they work can really help give you a head start in the field. Also try different things. It helps to have a lot of experience with different aspects of the work.
Lastly (and most important), why should people visit or learn more about your Presidential Library?
People should visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library because we have a lot of really great materials that help to show the whole story of the Kennedy Presidency and his life. This is seen in the museum as well as in archival research. We also have a beautiful building and an amazing view of the ocean. It can't be beat.