NATIONAL ARCHIVES ROTUNDA REOPENS IN SEPTEMBER
(Please be aware this post was written in 2003 and published at that time in the Houston Chronicle (Houston, Texas) newspaper. Some of the news in this post, therefore, may not be current. Current and future posts on this blog may revisit and update news on this and other posts on this blog. If you have questions and/or suggestions, please send Mic a note using the comment page -Don’t forget to use the orange “subscribe” button to receive new posts-Thanks, Mic)
The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC will reopen to the public on September 18 after a two year restoration project. The project encompassed the design and construction of 14 new humidified argon filled protective cases for displaying the Charters of Freedom. The Charters of Freedom is the collective name for the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. The historic Signing of the Declaration of Independence murals painted by Barry Faulkner which adorn the Rotunda walls have also been restored.
The rededicated hall will emphasize the story of the creation of the Charters and the continuing impact of these fundamental documents on the nation and the world. The new encasements will make the Charters more accessible for younger visitors and those using wheelchairs. In addition this will be the first time all six pages of the Constitution will be on continuous display.
For those planning to be in Washington, DC for the opening weekend of the Charters of Freedom Exhibit the schedule is 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday September 18-20 and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday September 21.
Readers with a technological curiosity will enjoy visiting the National Institute of Standards and Technology website at http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/Charter/encasements.htm . This informative website describes the design and features of the protective casings displaying the Charters of Freedom.
SIGN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
The National Archives has created an excellent and enjoyable educational interactive website designed for school children and the serious historian. The Charters of Freedom website at http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/charters_of_freedom/declarat ion/declaration.html discusses each of the three Charters of Freedom documents and offers the surfer a chance to view each of the documents in high resolution and even virtually sign the Declaration of Independence.
The Join the Signers page offers students, armchair historians and wannabe patriots a chance to get involved with history. The interactive program asks the surfer to choose a Colonist, American or Patriot quill pen each of which has it’s own distinguished writing pattern and style. The program then asks the surfer to key in their name.
After the submit button has been clicked the program offers the would be signer a chance to reconsider what he has done. The signer is asked if he really wants to sign the document. It explains as a signer one will be considered a rebel and a traitor and may have a reward posted for their capture-dead or alive. It also warns the largest British armada ever assembled is in New York Harbor to back up British law. By signing the document, the website continues, the signer has pledged his life, his personal liberty, his personal fortune and sacred honor to the cause of freedom. It then offers one last chance to change one’s mind.
After all the warnings those who choose to sign the Declaration of Independence can view and print out a color or black and white copy of the Declaration of Independence with their name affixed along side the other Founding Fathers of the United States. A neat experience.
Another section of the Declaration of Independence portion of the website offers a timeline of events relating to the Declaration. Contrary to what we were taught in school the process of creating the Declaration until the final signature took from June 7, 1776 to August 2, 1776 when most of the members of the Continental Congress signed the Declaration to 1781 when the last signature was affixed.
CONFERENCE IN LUFKIN
The 7th Annual Angelina College Genealogy Conference will be held Thursday July 24 through Saturday July 26 on the campus of Angelina College in Lufkin.
The conference will feature many Texas and out of state lecturers including: Trevia Wooster Beverly, Emily Ann Croom, Bob Bowman, Joel and Mary Fears, Pat Gordon, John Ippolito, Michael John Neill, Don Raney, Phillip Reynolds and John Sellers.
Lecture topics will include land records, WWI Draft Cards, 1930 Census, Cemeteries, Photography, Newspapers, Immigration, DNA, Maps, Internet and much more.
The cost of the conference, including several meals, is $175 including $55 for the Thursday pre-conference lecture. For more information visit the conference website at http://www.angelina.cc.tx.us/genealogy.htm or email Vivian Cates at vcates@ballistic.com
DNA TALK IN CONROE
The Montgomery County Genealogical Society meets the first Monday each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Room in the main library, 104 North I-45 in Conroe. This month I will be the featured speaker. My topic will be Using DNA in Genealogy. The society has a welcome mat out for anyone who would like to attend. For more information call the library at 936-788-8363 Ext. 260.
