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Historical Record

A shared understanding of our factual history is a critical component to designing our collective future. Our judicial system is based on precedent. Our decision-making is informed by the outcomes and impacts of previous decisions in our history. Our judgment is shaped by past experiences. Our ethics and morality are tempered by historical harm—both its occurrence and prevention.

An accurate education in our history and the consistent preservation of history is our collective right and duty.

One of the common themes of tyranny and dictatorship is the erasure of history. Thus it is the duty of free people to protect, preserve and share our historical record.

Civil stewards are future inspired and history wise.

What You Can Do

Museums, libraries, and archives are critical vectors for recording and sharing history. This means they are critical resources to protect.

Get involved with your local libraries, museum and archival efforts where you are able and interested. Sign up for newsletters and update from those organizations to stay informed on what they are doing and what actions are affecting their work.

Archives

Our historical archives are our collective memory of the events of our past. A comprehensive, accurate and maintained archive is our collective right as a society.

Libraries

Libraries form the backbone of civic life at the local, state and national level as repositories of not just books, but opportunities to access information, learning opportunities, access to resources, community events and cultural experiences.

Museums

Museums are institutions that create equitable opportunity for people to learn about our histories, our technological advances and our cultural achievements.

Readings & Resources

Newsletters & Blogs

Rebecca Solnit

Meditations in an Emergency

Heather Cox Richardson

Letters from an American

Andrea Pritzer

Degenerate Art

Timothy Snyder

Thinking About…

Anand Giridharadas

The.Ink

Institutions & Organizations

National Archives

NARA is responsible for preserving and maintaining access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their Government. NARA not only maintains the physical archives but also the Electronic Records Archive.

American Library Association

ALA is the largest membership association in the world for libraries. Their mission is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and to ensure access to information for all.”

American Alliance of Museums

The American Alliance of Museums’ mission is to champion equitable and impactful museums by connecting people, fostering learning and community, and nurturing museum excellence.

North American Reciprocal Museum Association

“The NARM Association is an extensive network of hundreds of cultural institutions across Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States. It connects their memberships for unprecedented access to arts, science, history, botanical gardens, and more.”

End of Term Web Archive

The End of Term Web Archive captures and saves U.S. Government websites at the end of presidential administrations. The EOT has preserved websites from administration changes in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020.

Smithsonian Digital Volunteers

Smithsonian Digital Volunteers help transcribe historical documents and biodiversity data.

Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.

“The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors.”

Institute of Museum and Library Services

IMLS’s mission is supporting “a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage.”

Books

The 1619 Project

Link to Bookshop listing

The January 6 Report

Bookshop listing

Myth America

Caste

Democracy Awakening

On Tyranny

On Freedom

The Road to Unfreedom

A People’s History of the United States

A Black Woman’s History of the United States

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States

White Trash

The View From Flyover Country

A Disability History of the United States

The Rediscovery of America

Erasing History

How to Hide an Empire

These Truths

Humankind

Transgender History

Fight Like Hell

A Place Called Yellowstone

A History of America in Ten Strikes

Working Class History

The Women’s History of the Modern World

One Long Night

Erased

A History of Libraries

Freedom Libraries

Give Us the Ballot