Doctor’s Orders; Cucumber Boats? The Wind River Reservation Physician’s Medical Notebooks

Today’s post is by Cody White, Archivist at the National Archives at Denver Many of us are probably guilty of it. I certainly was; letting my mind drift during a cataloging course in library school and doodling palm trees amongst my class notes. It seems for Virgil Milo Pinkley, who graduated from the Vanderbilt University … Continue reading Doctor’s Orders; Cucumber Boats? The Wind River Reservation Physician’s Medical Notebooks

Pirates in Love, Walking Potatoes, and Barboncito; the Pageants and Plays of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

Hunger enters stage right wearing a tight fitting black costume, a skeleton painted on the front and back. Hunger walks to the edge of the stage purposefully, then in a strolling fashion back to the house. Hunger peeps into the windows, inspects the adjacent root cellar, goes back to the dilapidated house, and enters.  The … Continue reading Pirates in Love, Walking Potatoes, and Barboncito; the Pageants and Plays of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

Highlights from the “Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824–1880” (Microfilm M234)

Today's post is by Rose Buchanan, Archivist and Subject Matter Expert for Native American Related Records When you hear the phrase “administrative correspondence,” what do you think of? It would not be surprising if you conjured up an image of dry, tedious paperwork full of legalese. Sometimes, that image is accurate! But in many cases … Continue reading Highlights from the “Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824–1880” (Microfilm M234)

Jewish American Heritage sites in the National Register of Historic Places

The month of May is, among other things, recognized as Jewish American Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions of Jewish Americans to American culture, history, and society.  There are a number of properties in the National Register series that include “Jewish” in the description, along with a number of synagogues and temples. Touro Synagogue & Burying … Continue reading Jewish American Heritage sites in the National Register of Historic Places

Restoring U.S. Citizenship: Tadayasu Abo et al. v Tom Clark et al., Northern District of California (San Francisco), Civil no. 25294

Today's blog was written by Ruth Chan, Archivist and Subject Matter Expert for Asian American and Pacific Islander Related Records. A heartfelt thanks to Zoe Lee-DiVito, Caroline Perez, and Rebecca Fong, dedicated interns and volunteers at the National Archives in San Francisco, for their invaluable assistance in digitizing the Abo case. In the final stages … Continue reading Restoring U.S. Citizenship: Tadayasu Abo et al. v Tom Clark et al., Northern District of California (San Francisco), Civil no. 25294

Return to Sender: Individual Deceased Personnel Files of the 6888th

Today’s post is by Cara Moore Lebonick, Archivist at the National Archives at St. Louis Bankston, Mary J. RG 92: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, Individual Deceased Personnel File, pg 6, NAID 330441288 Three of the four women interred at Normandy-American Cemetery and Memorial as a result of World War II deaths … Continue reading Return to Sender: Individual Deceased Personnel Files of the 6888th

Meet Artist Pablita Velarde/Tse Tsan (Santa Clara Pueblo)

March marks Women’s History Month, set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history. Today I would like to highlight the life and career of Pablita Velarde/Tse Tsan (Santa Clara Pueblo), a prominent 20th-century Native artist. Using records from a host of collections across National Archives facilities, we are able to glimpse into this accomplished … Continue reading Meet Artist Pablita Velarde/Tse Tsan (Santa Clara Pueblo)

Thomas Sowell and the National Archives Catalog

Today's post was written by M Marie Maxwell, archivist in the Special Access and FOIA Program at the National Archives in College Park. In the executive proclamation for National Black History Month, 2025, African American economist and prolific author Thomas Sowell was mentioned. Although retired from teaching, Professor Sowell does pop up here and there … Continue reading Thomas Sowell and the National Archives Catalog

Case Files of Japanese-American Prisoners, 1944–1946

Today’s post is written by Jessica Behrman, Archivist at The National Archives at Denver. Heart Mountain Relocation Project (National Archives Identifier 342713797) On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which resulted in Japanese-American incarceration at relocation centers across remote areas of the western U.S. and Arkansas.[1] This series is part of … Continue reading Case Files of Japanese-American Prisoners, 1944–1946

Swing into the Bureau of Indian Affairs Decimal Filing System

In 1913 Philip Longergan, superintendent of the Pueblo day schools, received a deal he couldn’t refuse. Even marked CONFIDENTIAL, adding validity to just how great a deal it was, Longergan was entitled…to purchase an A.G. Spalding and Brothers Incorporated All-Steel Apparatus for the Playground…for 20% off! A.G. Spalding and Brothers Inc. playground equipment coupon sent … Continue reading Swing into the Bureau of Indian Affairs Decimal Filing System