National Archives Public Programs in February
Press Release · Monday, January 30, 2023

Washington, DC

In February the National Archives will present free public programs at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, at its Presidential Libraries nationwide, and virtually online. 

(In Person & Online) Panel Discussion – The Story of Five Men’s Heroism and Sacrifice: 80 Years after the Sinking of the USAT Dorchester
Wednesday, February 1, at 7 p.m. ET
William G. McGowan Theater, National Archives Museum, Washington, DC
Register to attend in person; watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel 
On February 3, 1943, the USAT Dorchester, hit by a German submarine, sank with the loss of 674 of the 904 on board. This program will highlight the story of the “Four Chaplains”—four Army chaplains who gave up their life jackets so that others might survive. Our speakers will also discuss the rarely acknowledged heroics of an African American cook on the rescue ship USCGC Comanche, Charles W. David Jr. With complete disregard for his own life, David repeatedly braved the icy waters of the North Atlantic to save the drowning crew of the Dorchester, dying from pneumonia as a result. Current Army Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. Thomas Solhjem, Chaplain Bob Nay, author Steven Collis, and University of Tampa leadership professor Deidre Dixon will discuss how this story can inspire us today.

(Online Only) Panel Discussions –The American Presidency: Decisions for War and Peace
Thursdays, February 2, 9, and 16, at 4 p.m. CT
Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum in Austin, TX
Advance registration is required for the series
February 2: William Inboden, University of Texas at Austin, on Ronald Reagan and the end of the Cold War
February 9: Lien-Hang T. Nguyen, Columbia University, on Richard Nixon and the end of America’s war in Vietnam
February 16: Melvyn Leffler, University of Virginia, on George W. Bush and the road to war in Iraq

Over six weeks leading up to Presidents Day, we will sweep across American history from the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House to the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. We will examine Presidents from Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson to Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, delving into their choices about war and peace as well as the implications of those decisions for the nation’s present and future.

(In Person & Online) Book Talk – Conversation with Peter Shinkle: Uniting America 
Thursday, February 2, at 6 p.m. ET
Henry A. Wallace Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, NY
Registration is required to attend in person; watch online YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook 
The FDR Presidential Library presents a conversation and book signing with Peter Shinkle, author of Uniting America: How FDR and Henry Stimson Brought Democrats and Republicans Together to Win World War II.

(In Person Only) Sunday Concert Series at the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Sundays, February 5, 12, 19, and 26, at 2 p.m. PT
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA
February 5:  Michael Sellers - Pianist
February 12:  TBD
February 19:  Junior Chamber Music - Honors Showcase Concert
February 26:  A Little Dynasty - Chinese Music Concert

(Online Only) The National Archives Comes Alive! Young Learners Program: Meet Matthew Henson
Thursday, February 9, at 11 a.m. ET
Register to attend online; watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel
Matthew Henson, the famous African American explorer, will share stories of his youth, his 20 years of polar expeditions, reaching the North Pole, and his working relationship with the Inuit peoples as well as Adm. Robert Peary. Matthew Henson is portrayed by Keith Henley of the American Historical Theatre. This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.

(In Person Only) “First in Flight” Family Day in the Boeing Learning Center
Saturday, February 11, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. ET
Boeing Learning Center, National Archives Museum, Washington, DC
Join us for a day of family-friendly activities in the Boeing Learning Center as we celebrate National Inventors’ Day. Explore the process of invention through fun, hands-on activities, and meet Orville Wright, as portrayed by Bob Gleason of the American Historical Theatre, who will discuss the creativity and innovative thinking behind his and his brother Wilbur’s first forays into flight.

(Online Only) Panel Discussion – “Remember the Maine”: 125th Anniversary Discussion
Wednesday, February 15, at 1 p.m. ET
Register to attend online; watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel
A panel of historians and archivists will discuss the sinking of the USS Maine, a second-class battleship built between 1888 and 1895, which was sent to Havana in January 1898 to protect American interests during the long-standing revolt of the Cubans against the Spanish government. On the evening of February 15, 1898, the Maine sank when her forward gunpowder magazines exploded. Nearly three-quarters of the battleship’s crew died as a result of the explosion. While the cause of this great tragedy is still unsettled, contemporary American popular opinion blamed Spain, and the Spanish-American War followed within a few months. 

Panelists include: Steve Carney, Arlington National Cemetery; Nate Patch, National Archives; Lyn Rowe, National Archives; David Langbart, National Archives; and John Fahey and Ivor Mollema, from Naval History and Heritage command.
This program is presented in collaboration with Arlington National Cemetery and the Naval History and Heritage Command.

(Online Only) Book Talk – Saying It Loud: 1966—The Year Black Power Challenged the Civil Rights Movement
Thursday, February 16, at 1 p.m. ET
Register to attend online; watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel
Journalist and author Mark Whitaker explores the momentous year that redefined the civil rights movement as a new sense of Black identity, expressed in the slogan “Black Power,” challenged the nonviolent philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis. Deeply researched and widely reported, Saying It Loud offers portraits of the major characters in the yearlong drama and provides new details and insights from key players and journalists who covered the story. It also makes a compelling case for why the lessons from 1966 still resonate in the era of Black Lives Matter and the fierce contemporary battles over voting rights, identity politics, and the teaching of Black history. Joining the author in conversation will be journalist Jonathan Alter.

(In Person only) Lecture – Ford and the Recognition of Black History Month
Thursday, February 16, at noon, ET
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids, MI
Learn about President Ford’s role in recognizing Black History Month in 1976 by taking a peek into the museum's artifact collection. Curator Mirelle Luecke will speak about how the museum’s collection—both what it has and what it doesn’t have—shed light on this moment in history.

(Online Only) “Civics for All of US” Distance Learning Programs for Students
Friday, February 17, at 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.
These programs are offered as a part of Civics for All of US, a new education initiative from the National Archives that promotes civic literacy and engagement. Our interactive distance learning programs draw upon the vast holdings of the National Archives to promote the knowledge and skills students need for civic engagement in the 21st century. Each program is led by one of our educators located at National Archives sites or Presidential Libraries across the country. Check civics.archives.gov for more information, including how to request a program for groups of 10 or more students. 

• The Constitution Rules (Grades K–2) at 12:15 p.m. ET; Register online
  During this program, students will explore the idea of different responsibilities in their community and analyze images that highlight the jobs of the three branches of government as outlined in the Constitution.
• The Constitution and Our Community (Grades 3–5) at 1:15 p.m. ET; Register online
  During this program, students will explore the idea of community, hone their primary source analysis skills by examining government records, and connect the Constitution to their own lives.

(Online Only) Panel Discussion – Co-Discoverer Matthew Henson: Breaking Barriers of Polar Exploration During a Time of Segregation and Racism
Tuesday, February 17, at 1 p.m. ET
Watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel
A panel will discuss the life of African American explorer Matthew Henson, who spent years exploring the Arctic with Robert E. Peary. Henson was the first one to reach the North Pole in 1909, yet he was not given the same honors awarded to other members of the expedition. Henson’s life after the North Pole reflects the racial divide of the time in which he lived. The panel will discuss Henson’s Arctic career using artifacts from the Berkshire Museum, the Explorers Club, and the National Archives and discuss recent research finds about Henson as well as the legacy he leaves us today. J. Robert “J.R." Harris, Explorers Club Board of Directors and Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, will moderate a discussion with Lacey Flint, Archivist and Curator of Research Collections at the Explorers Club; Charlie Catacalos, Exhibitions Research and Content Editor, Berkshire Museum; and Jason Vivori, Collections Manager, Berkshire Museum.
Presented in partnership with the Explorers Club and the Berkshire Museum.

(In Person & Online) Book Talk – Alex Prud’homme: Dinner with the President 
Saturday, February 18,  at 1 p.m. ET
Henry A. Wallace Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, NY
Registration is required to attend in person; watch online on YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook 
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum will host a Presidents Day Weekend book talk and signing with Alex Prud’homme, author of Dinner with the President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House.

(In Person Only) Documents on Display: Presidential Autographs
Saturday, February 18, 2 – 4 p.m. ET
Research Room at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, NY
Visitors at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum can view a selection of Presidential autographs from the Roosevelt Library archives—many of which are from FDR’s personal collection—on display only once a year. Registration is not required.

(In Person & Online) Conversation with Bradford Pearson: The Eagles of Heart Mountain
Saturday, February 19  at 2 p.m. ET
Henry A. Wallace Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, NY
Registration is required to attend in person; watch online on YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook 
The FDR Presidential Library presents a Day of Remembrance conversation and book signing with Bradford Pearson, author of The Eagles of Heart Mountain: A True Story of Football, Incarceration, and Resistance in World War II America. 

(Online Only) Book Talk – The Lincoln Miracle: Inside the Republican Convention That Changed History
Wednesday, February 22, at 1 p.m. ET
Register to attend online; watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel
The Lincoln Miracle tells the vivid, behind-the-scenes story of what has been described as the most consequential political moment in American history—Abraham Lincoln’s history-changing nomination to lead the Republican Party in the 1860 Presidential election. Author Ed Achorn explores the genius of Lincoln’s quiet strategy, the vicious partisanship tearing apart America, and the fierce battles raging over racism and slavery, arguably the most consequential political story in America’s history. From smoky hotel rooms to night marches by the Wide Awakes (the new Republican youth organization) to fiery speeches on the floor of the giant convention center called The Wigwam, Achorn portrays a political climate far more contentious than our own today, out of which Lincoln, the seemingly impossible long shot, prevailed, to the nation’s everlasting benefit.

(In Person & Online) O Say Can You Hear? with Mark Clague
Wednesday, February 22, 7 p.m. E.T. 
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids, MI
Register to attend in person or online
Join the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation in welcoming University of Michigan musicology and American Culture professor Mark Clague to recount the history of “The Star Spangled Banner” and how its meaning has evolved. After the lecture, guests are invited to view the feature exhibit America at the Crossroads: The GUITAR and a Changing Nation. Crossroads is a traveling exhibit from the National Guitar Museum and is on display until May 28, 2023.

(In Person Only) Celebrate! with Valerie Tutson – Tales from African Traditions
Thursday, February 23, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Registration is required 
Drawing from her own travels, internationally known storyteller Valerie Tutson brings to life an assortment of myths, folktales, and historical accounts from the African continent and the African Diaspora. She showcases the beauty, humor, and wisdom of tales to illuminate parts of the diverse and ancient cultures of Africa for visitors of all ages to enjoy and learn together in honor of Black History Month. 

(In Person & Online) Panel Discussion – The Guadalcanal Campaign 1942–43: A Defining Moment in American History
Thursday, February 23, at 1 p.m. ET
William G. McGowan Theater, National Archives Museum, Washington, DC
Register to attend in person; watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel
The Guadalcanal Campaign, a decisive point in the Pacific Theater of World War II, was fought between August 7, 1942, and February 9, 1943. The United States and Japanese armed forces traded savage blows in a bitter struggle with staggering losses. The prospects for ultimate American victory for control of the island reached a nadir of doubt in mid-campaign and triggered changes in the amount of candid information provided the public to prepare them for defeat. Both from its inception and through its course, Guadalcanal figured in the global calculus of the war. Adm. William F. (Bull) Halsey put it this way: “Before Guadalcanal the enemy advanced at his pleasure—after Guadalcanal he retreated at ours.” Richard Frank, noted author and historian of the campaign; Gordon Rudd, United States Marine Corps historian; and Allen Knechtmann, archivist at the United States Army Heritage and Education Center, will discuss the details of the campaign from various perspectives. The discussion will be moderated by Jeff Hawks, Education Director at the United States Army Heritage and Education Center.

(Online Only) Lunch & Learn – Eisenhower, the Cold War, and the American Role
Thursday, February 23, 2023, at noon CT
The Dwight Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Abilene, KS
Watch on the Eisenhower Library YouTube Channel
This month’s Lunch & Learn features Dr. Jeremy Black, professor of history with the University of Exeter. The 2023 program theme is “Difficult Decisions.” Join us all year for a deep dive into the challenges faced during the Eisenhower era.
These programs are all made possible courtesy of the Eisenhower Foundation with generous support from the Jeffcoat Memorial Foundation.

(Online Only) “Civics for All of US” Teacher Workshop – Executive Orders and Civil Rights
Thursday, February 23, at 7 p.m. ET
Register online
During this online workshop with Truman Presidential Library and Eisenhower Presidential Library, teachers will examine primary sources to discover how and why Presidents have issued executive orders to advance civil rights.

(Online Only) Book Talk – Serving Herself: The Life and Times of Althea Gibson
Monday, February 27, at 7 p.m. ET
Register to attend online; watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel
In this new comprehensive biography, Ashley Brown narrates the public career and private struggles of tennis Hall of Famer Althea Gibson (1927–2003). From her start playing paddle tennis on the streets of Harlem to her 11 Grand Slam tennis wins to her professional golf career, Althea Gibson became the most famous Black sportswoman of the mid-20th century. In her unprecedented athletic career, she was the first African American to win titles at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. Based on extensive archival work and oral histories, Serving Herself sets Gibson’s life and choices against the backdrop of the Great Migration, Jim Crow racism, the integration of American sports, the civil rights movement, the Cold War, and second wave feminism.  Brown will be joined by Nicole Markham, Curator of Collections of the International Tennis  Hall of Fame. Presented in partnership with NAF and the International Tennis Hall of Fame

All American: The Power of Sports and programs presented in conjunction with the exhibit are made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of AT&T, AARP, and Mars, Incorporated. Additional support provided by HISTORY® and the Lawrence F. O’Brien Family. 

(Online Only) Book Talk – The Permanent Resident: Excavations and Explorations of George Washington’s Life
Tuesday, February 28, at 1 p.m. ET
Register to attend online; watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel
No figure in American history has generated more public interest or sustained more scholarly research around his various homes and habitations than has George Washington. In The Permanent Resident, Philip Levy discusses the principal archaeological sites of Washington’s life, revealing what they say individually and collectively about him. Levy also derives fascinating insights about how slavery changed and was debated at Washington’s famous home of Mount Vernon. Levy considers the fates of Washington statues and commemorations to understand how they have functioned as objects of veneration—and sometimes vandalism—for more than a century and a half. Two hundred years after his death, at the sites of his many abodes, Washington remains an inescapable presence. The Permanent Resident guides us through the places where Washington lived and in which Americans have memorialized him, speaking to issues that have defined and challenged America from his time to our own.