Guardians of the nation's attic

The National Archives keeps watch over 10 billion historical records. And its treasure hunting team keeps watch over collector shows and EBay for the scraps of valuable history that have been stolen.

By Faye Fiore, Los Angeles Times
August 8, 2010

When Paul Brachfeld took over as inspector general of the National Archives, guardian of the country's most beloved treasures, he discovered the American people were being stolen blind.

The Wright Brothers 1903 Flying Machine patent application? Gone.

A copy of the Dec. 8, 1941 "Day of Infamy" speech autographed by Franklin D. Roosevelt and tied with a purple ribbon? Gone.

Target maps of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, war telegrams written by Abraham Lincoln and a scabbard and belt given to Harry S. Truman? Gone, gone and gone.

Obama Nominates Research Librarian to Head National Archives

A New York librarian has been chosen to become the next archivist of the United States.

President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced the nomination of David S. Ferriero to the run the National Archives and Records Administration.

The 63-year-old Ferriero is currently the director of research libraries at the New York Public Library.

See Also:
New York Librarian Chosen as U.S. Archivist
News Release About Ferrieo from 2004
David Ferrieo’s Wikipedia Entry