DC Archives Foundation
@dcarchivesfdn.bsky.social
Providing philanthropic and advocacy support to the District of Columbia’s historical and permanently valuable records.
Pinned
In a year of many difficult budget decisions, we are grateful to the DC Council for keeping funding for the new DC State Archives building at UDC in the capital budget, and including additional funds to improve Naylor Court. These projects preserve important DC and federal history!
In a year of many difficult budget decisions, we are grateful to the DC Council for keeping funding for the new DC State Archives building at UDC in the capital budget, and including additional funds to improve Naylor Court. These projects preserve important DC and federal history!
July 31, 2025 at 7:10 PM
In a year of many difficult budget decisions, we are grateful to the DC Council for keeping funding for the new DC State Archives building at UDC in the capital budget, and including additional funds to improve Naylor Court. These projects preserve important DC and federal history!
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
To everyone who wrote a one line email, testified, or just bothered your councilmember at Safeway, this is your victory.
The new archive will open later than we hoped, but the funding for the current building will make DC's most valuable historic resource available like never before—and soon. 🗃️
The new archive will open later than we hoped, but the funding for the current building will make DC's most valuable historic resource available like never before—and soon. 🗃️
We are very grateful to @chmnmendelson.bsky.social and the entire DC Council for FULLY FUNDING the new State Archives building at UDC and providing additional funds for repairs to make Naylor Court more available to the public until the new building is complete.
All four measures to be marked up in the Committee of the Whole, including the Local Budget Act and Budget Support Act, have now been posted to the Hearing Management System at lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea....
Tune in NOW to ChairmanMendelson.com/live for the Media Briefing
Tune in NOW to ChairmanMendelson.com/live for the Media Briefing
July 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM
To everyone who wrote a one line email, testified, or just bothered your councilmember at Safeway, this is your victory.
The new archive will open later than we hoped, but the funding for the current building will make DC's most valuable historic resource available like never before—and soon. 🗃️
The new archive will open later than we hoped, but the funding for the current building will make DC's most valuable historic resource available like never before—and soon. 🗃️
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
Celebrating a win for DC this morning!
We are very grateful to @chmnmendelson.bsky.social and the entire DC Council for FULLY FUNDING the new State Archives building at UDC and providing additional funds for repairs to make Naylor Court more available to the public until the new building is complete.
All four measures to be marked up in the Committee of the Whole, including the Local Budget Act and Budget Support Act, have now been posted to the Hearing Management System at lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea....
Tune in NOW to ChairmanMendelson.com/live for the Media Briefing
Tune in NOW to ChairmanMendelson.com/live for the Media Briefing
July 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Celebrating a win for DC this morning!
We are very grateful to @chmnmendelson.bsky.social and the entire DC Council for FULLY FUNDING the new State Archives building at UDC and providing additional funds for repairs to make Naylor Court more available to the public until the new building is complete.
All four measures to be marked up in the Committee of the Whole, including the Local Budget Act and Budget Support Act, have now been posted to the Hearing Management System at lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea....
Tune in NOW to ChairmanMendelson.com/live for the Media Briefing
Tune in NOW to ChairmanMendelson.com/live for the Media Briefing
DC Council Hearings Management System
View Hearings, Register to Witness, Submit Testimony
lims.dccouncil.gov
July 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
We are very grateful to @chmnmendelson.bsky.social and the entire DC Council for FULLY FUNDING the new State Archives building at UDC and providing additional funds for repairs to make Naylor Court more available to the public until the new building is complete.
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
When we do calls to action for the DC Archives, we get requests for letter templates.
But every staffer and CM I've talked to hates form letters. They will note the topline and move on, never reading any customizations you make.
A single line with the core of your thoughts is always better.
But every staffer and CM I've talked to hates form letters. They will note the topline and move on, never reading any customizations you make.
A single line with the core of your thoughts is always better.
June 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
When we do calls to action for the DC Archives, we get requests for letter templates.
But every staffer and CM I've talked to hates form letters. They will note the topline and move on, never reading any customizations you make.
A single line with the core of your thoughts is always better.
But every staffer and CM I've talked to hates form letters. They will note the topline and move on, never reading any customizations you make.
A single line with the core of your thoughts is always better.
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
Mayor Bowser’s defunding of a new DC Archives ignores the proverb “Until the lion has his own historian, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
thedcline.org/2025/06/20/j...
thedcline.org/2025/06/20/j...
jonetta rose barras: Ignoring the importance of history and neglecting quality education in DC
Sometimes two or more things may seem quite different at first look — and yet they are actually similar at their core or derived from the same kind of thinking. Juxtapose, for example, President Donal...
thedcline.org
June 20, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Mayor Bowser’s defunding of a new DC Archives ignores the proverb “Until the lion has his own historian, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
thedcline.org/2025/06/20/j...
thedcline.org/2025/06/20/j...
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
Now that’s a metaphor
![One high-level UDC administrator, who requested anonymity to speak freely during an extended phone interview, characterized Edington as “the guy with the broom behind the elephants in the parade.”
“Every new president that comes to the university with ideas quickly becomes consumed by a crisis caused by some dysfunctional decision made in the [John A. Wilson Building],” added the administrator.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:y2z7qjl6m6pqpn3msjo7j55q/bafkreifnoklkdgk46i66gvu2cpbuklgkwjynm5jpamkglmxshb7ddyscaq@jpeg)
June 20, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Now that’s a metaphor
"...DC needs a new, modern archives that captures, preserves and shares its powerful story, told through its government, local leaders and ordinary citizens. It needs a place where researchers and residents can go to learn about their city and themselves..."
thedcline.org/2025/06/20/j...
thedcline.org/2025/06/20/j...
jonetta rose barras: Ignoring the importance of history and neglecting quality education in DC
Sometimes two or more things may seem quite different at first look — and yet they are actually similar at their core or derived from the same kind of thinking. Juxtapose, for example, President Donal...
thedcline.org
June 20, 2025 at 8:50 PM
"...DC needs a new, modern archives that captures, preserves and shares its powerful story, told through its government, local leaders and ordinary citizens. It needs a place where researchers and residents can go to learn about their city and themselves..."
thedcline.org/2025/06/20/j...
thedcline.org/2025/06/20/j...
⬇️!!
The DC Archives matter! 📣 The DC History Center is deeply concerned that funding for the District of Columbia Archives building at UDC has been eliminated in the Mayor’s FY26 proposed budget. This is an alarming development with far-reaching consequences.
@dcarchivesfdn.bsky.social
@dcarchivesfdn.bsky.social
June 18, 2025 at 12:32 AM
⬇️!!
The text of our testimony from the budget oversight hearings is now up on our website. The budget process goes until August, so there is still plenty of time for you to submit your thoughts to DC Council and the Mayor!
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org/learn
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org/learn
Learn — DC Archives Foundation
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org
June 8, 2025 at 2:44 AM
The text of our testimony from the budget oversight hearings is now up on our website. The budget process goes until August, so there is still plenty of time for you to submit your thoughts to DC Council and the Mayor!
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org/learn
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org/learn
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
Upset about the proposed cancellation of the DC Archives but live in Montana or have a day job? You can still help! 🗃️
Send a single word email to Mayor Bowser's chief of staff. Don't overthink it. Just say you want it completed as planned. Be nice. Curse. Whatever.
👀 lindsey.parker@dc.gov 👀
Send a single word email to Mayor Bowser's chief of staff. Don't overthink it. Just say you want it completed as planned. Be nice. Curse. Whatever.
👀 lindsey.parker@dc.gov 👀
June 6, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Upset about the proposed cancellation of the DC Archives but live in Montana or have a day job? You can still help! 🗃️
Send a single word email to Mayor Bowser's chief of staff. Don't overthink it. Just say you want it completed as planned. Be nice. Curse. Whatever.
👀 lindsey.parker@dc.gov 👀
Send a single word email to Mayor Bowser's chief of staff. Don't overthink it. Just say you want it completed as planned. Be nice. Curse. Whatever.
👀 lindsey.parker@dc.gov 👀
Student housing should not be pitted against the city's historic resources in a year that 1/2 a billion dollars is going to a stadium.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled her proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year on Wednesday, which would eliminate a new building to house the DC State Archives. More info here:
DC Archive or Student Housing? Bowser Proposal Prompts Debate Over the District’s Records. - Washingtonian
Mayor Bowser's budget proposal would eliminate a standalone building planned for the District's records.
www.washingtonian.com
May 30, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Student housing should not be pitted against the city's historic resources in a year that 1/2 a billion dollars is going to a stadium.
We've added a statement to our website and added ways to help save the DC State Archives building project:
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org/statement-ab...
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org/statement-ab...
Statement on Mayor's Budget — DC Archives Foundation
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org
May 29, 2025 at 6:45 PM
We've added a statement to our website and added ways to help save the DC State Archives building project:
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org/statement-ab...
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org/statement-ab...
"The mayor's budget director, Jenny Reed, told reporters on Tuesday that no school, library or recreation center project was delayed or cut in funding." Instead, they cut the DC State Archives building that would support history and culture production in the District.
www.axios.com/local/washin...
www.axios.com/local/washin...
How D.C. found $1.1 billion to redevelop RFK Stadium
Mayor Bowser's new budget gives new details on RFK Stadium funding.
www.axios.com
May 28, 2025 at 7:08 PM
"The mayor's budget director, Jenny Reed, told reporters on Tuesday that no school, library or recreation center project was delayed or cut in funding." Instead, they cut the DC State Archives building that would support history and culture production in the District.
www.axios.com/local/washin...
www.axios.com/local/washin...
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
More D.C. budget tidbits: @mayorbowser.bsky.social is proposing a big change for what was supposed to be a new D.C. Archives facility located at the UDC campus in Van Ness. She instead wants that site used for student housing, and the archives housed in the existing Charles Sumner School.
Mayor Bowser’s proposed 2026 budget completely eliminates the new DC State Archives building at UDC. This last minute, irresponsible decision, which was made in secret without any input from experts or the community, erases a decade of grueling work.
May 28, 2025 at 3:42 PM
More D.C. budget tidbits: @mayorbowser.bsky.social is proposing a big change for what was supposed to be a new D.C. Archives facility located at the UDC campus in Van Ness. She instead wants that site used for student housing, and the archives housed in the existing Charles Sumner School.
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
The Mayor of Washington, DC wants to cancel its badly needed state archives after ten years and millions of dollars of work.
Why? Seemingly to subsidize the billionaire-backed stadium she has been working on with Donald Trump.
Send a note to eom@dc.gov if you want to help. 🗃️
Why? Seemingly to subsidize the billionaire-backed stadium she has been working on with Donald Trump.
Send a note to eom@dc.gov if you want to help. 🗃️
Mayor Bowser’s proposed 2026 budget completely eliminates the new DC State Archives building at UDC. This last minute, irresponsible decision, which was made in secret without any input from experts or the community, erases a decade of grueling work.
May 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The Mayor of Washington, DC wants to cancel its badly needed state archives after ten years and millions of dollars of work.
Why? Seemingly to subsidize the billionaire-backed stadium she has been working on with Donald Trump.
Send a note to eom@dc.gov if you want to help. 🗃️
Why? Seemingly to subsidize the billionaire-backed stadium she has been working on with Donald Trump.
Send a note to eom@dc.gov if you want to help. 🗃️
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
DC history folk and allies, please read 🧵👇 and be prepared to advocate AGAINST the mayor's proposal to undo the work of those who have been planning so long for a new home for the DC Archives.
Mayor Bowser’s proposed 2026 budget completely eliminates the new DC State Archives building at UDC. This last minute, irresponsible decision, which was made in secret without any input from experts or the community, erases a decade of grueling work.
May 28, 2025 at 3:55 PM
DC history folk and allies, please read 🧵👇 and be prepared to advocate AGAINST the mayor's proposal to undo the work of those who have been planning so long for a new home for the DC Archives.
Mayor Bowser’s proposed 2026 budget completely eliminates the new DC State Archives building at UDC. This last minute, irresponsible decision, which was made in secret without any input from experts or the community, erases a decade of grueling work.
May 28, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Mayor Bowser’s proposed 2026 budget completely eliminates the new DC State Archives building at UDC. This last minute, irresponsible decision, which was made in secret without any input from experts or the community, erases a decade of grueling work.
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
If you think you have genealogical records in the DC Archives, the good news is that it has become much easier to do in the last two years. Here's how to start:
Geneaology Records in the DC Archives
YouTube video by DC State Archives
www.youtube.com
April 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
If you think you have genealogical records in the DC Archives, the good news is that it has become much easier to do in the last two years. Here's how to start:
Reposted by DC Archives Foundation
Think of all the wonderful ways the DC Archives can support UDC in these goals once its new building on campus is complete!
For decades, UDC struggled with declining enrollment and a weak reputation—but Maurice Edington, president of the university, envisions the HBCU becoming a jewel of the city, a prestigious destination for students and researchers nationwide.
UDC’s President Wants You to Think Differently About the City’s Public University
Maurice Edington has bold plans for the HBCU.
www.washingtonian.com
February 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Think of all the wonderful ways the DC Archives can support UDC in these goals once its new building on campus is complete!
The DC Archives are your city's history! Researching your family's DC genealogy? Want regular construction updates about the new state-of-the-art state archives building? Want to help support digital access to the DC Archives? Join our e-mail list today! www.dcarchivesfoundation.org
DC Archives Foundation
www.dcarchivesfoundation.org
November 18, 2024 at 2:09 AM
The DC Archives are your city's history! Researching your family's DC genealogy? Want regular construction updates about the new state-of-the-art state archives building? Want to help support digital access to the DC Archives? Join our e-mail list today! www.dcarchivesfoundation.org