http://atlantic-intl.co.uk/need-storage-space/

From an early age we learn about the preservation of items.  You go into your attic, or you look on the kitchen fridge and you can find a world of items from the past.  From pictures to documents to your grandmother’s wedding dress you can pretty much find it all.  But why do we keep these things? What makes us hold on to them? How do we decide what is worth preserving? And where do we put it if we want to keep it?

 

Similar to homes, there are national archives which go through a similar process of preservation.  However, there is a significantly larger amount of items to go through and decide what is worth keeping — and where to put it!

 

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/extras/2011/12/15/dec-15-bill-of-rights-day/

The National Archives of the United States are known for holding some of the most well known documents of our country’s history including the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  The archives first started back in 1934 during President Roosevelt’s administration. While the archive did not begin until the 20th century, major documents within the archive date back to 1775.  One of the reasons documents were successfully kept from the 18th century is because Thomas Jefferson posed concern for the preservation of the nation’s records as early as 1791.

https://www.archives.gov/publications/general-info-leaflets/1-about-archives.html

 

When I hear about a new foundation or company or even school I am interested in, I often look at their mission statement and vision in order to understand more about the integrity of the organization.  The National Archives and Resource Association (NARA)’s mission is “to provide public access to Federal Government records in our custody and control.”  In addition to their mission of public access, the NARA has a vision “to transform the American public’s relationship with their government, with archives as a relevant and vital resource.”

https://www.archives.gov/about/info/mission.html

 

NARA strives to give everyday citizens access to the history of our country through several locations across the country featuring exclusive items and an online database featuring letters, pictures, and records of our history.  When looking through the website, I found a letter Elvis Presley wrote to President Richard Nixon.

 

https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/nixon-met-elvis/index.html

 

The letter was written on American Airlines stationary and hand delivered from Presley to a security guard at the northwest gate of the White House.  It’s content included Presley’s hope for a better future with the change of drug culture.  Ultimately, Presley’s goal was to become a Federal Agent so he could have the credentials to make change in the country he loves.

https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/nixon-met-elvis/index.html

 

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/interactive/2013/oct/12/elvis-presley-richard-nixon-letter

Prior to researching NARA’s archives, I had no idea such a letter existed.  I have always been a big fan of Elvis (it became one of my childhood nicknames) and reading this letter gave me a view into a history I would not have otherwise known existed.  Archives provide a vital role in the world because they offer a wealth of knowledge to be explored for generations to come.