National Archives Announces Changes to Support Digital Transformation and Improved Access; Three NARA Facilities to Close and Two Offices to be Relocated
Press Release · Thursday, August 1, 2024

Washington, DC

The National Archives and Records Administration today announced the upcoming closure of three facilities and relocation of two offices. These changes will allow for the reallocation of more than $5 million in facility costs per year into digital transformation and other critical priorities to advance the agency’s mission.

“The federal government’s transition to electronic recordkeeping requires us to invest significantly in next-generation systems to support preserving, protecting, and sharing the increasingly born-digital records of the United States,” said Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan. “The decision to close facilities was not made lightly. These changes will allow us to invest in digital transformation, expanding access, improving customer service, and increasing public engagement with the history of our nation.”

The following locations will be affected:

National Archives in New York City, NY 

The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House facility will be open to researchers until Friday, August 16. Over the next several months, records held in New York will be transferred to National Archives locations in Philadelphia and Kansas City. Information about the destination of specific record series will be made available at www.archives.gov/nyc. These records will be available at the new locations and through digital service. Educational programs will continue to be supported by National Archives staff and from other locations.

Barack Obama Presidential Library Temporary Site at Hoffman Estates, IL 

The records and artifacts of the Barack Obama Presidential Library, which have been held temporarily at Hoffman Estates, will be permanently moved to College Park, MD, in late FY 2025. The center of operations for the Library will also shift to College Park, MD, beginning late next year. To learn more about this digital-first Presidential library, see www.obamalibrary.gov/about-us. 

Temporary Records Storage Facility in Fairfield, OH  

This facility is operated by the National Archives Dayton Federal Records Center (FRC) in Ohio. The records in the Fairfield facility are being relocated to other FRCs, including the Dayton FRC and Great Lakes storage facility during FY25. You can learn more about the FRC program at www.archives.gov/frc. 

Office of the Federal Register and Office of Government Information Services, Washington, DC 

The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) and the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) currently located at the Government Publishing Office in Washington, DC, will be relocated in FY 2025. OFR will transition to the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. OGIS will utilize space at the National Archives in Washington, DC, and College Park, MD.  

For a list of current NARA locations, see www.archives.gov/locations.