Various announcements and statements from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) Grant Announcements (2000-2022)
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) have made significant funding announcements over the past two decades, supporting historical records projects and archival preservation.
NHPRC Grants
Since its inception in 1964, the NHPRC has awarded approximately 4,500 grants for archival projects and records preservation. One recent example is the University of Cincinnati Libraries, which received an NHPRC Archives Grant in 2024 to support archival processing for civil rights-related records.
Public-Private Partnerships (mid-2000s)
In the mid-2000s, NARA announced several major digitization initiatives involving private partners for public access and preservation. In 2006, a joint venture with Google was created to digitize and make video holdings available online. A partnership with Fold3.com (formerly Footnote) was launched in January 2007 to digitize about 4.5 million pages of historic documents. An agreement with CreateSpace (an Amazon subsidiary) in July 2007 enabled the National Archives to distribute copies of Universal Newsreels (1929-1967) and simultaneously preserve digital copies for archival purposes.
Key Dates
- April 2009: Kathleen Williams appointed as the executive director of the NHPRC.
- May 2009: The National Archives created a plan for online access to the Founding Fathers' papers.
- October 2009: The National Archives helped the Founding Fathers go online.
- June 2010: The Commission recommended $7 million in grants.
- June 1, 2010: The Commission recommended $4 million in grants.
- June 8, 2010: The Commission recommended $3.9 million in grants.
- June 3, 2005: The Commission recommended $3.7 million in grants for documentary editing and archival projects.
- June 9, 2009: The Commission recommended $5.9 million in grants for documentary editing and archival projects.
- In June 2013, the National Archives launched Founders Online.
- In June 2015, the National Archives awarded $3.1 million in grants for historical records projects.
- In June 2017, the National Archives awarded grants for documentary editing and archival projects.
- In June 2018, the National Archives awarded $4.1 million in grants for documentary editing and archival projects.
- In November 2020, the National Archives announced $2.9 million in new NHPRC grants.
- In May 2022, the National Archives announced $4.8 million in new NHPRC grants.
Leadership Changes
- January 7, 2003: The Archivist of the United States appointed a new executive director to the NHPRC.
- August 2017: The National Archives bid farewell to NHPRC Director Kathleen Williams.
- In March 2018, Christopher Eck was named the new executive director of the NHPRC.
Notable Events
- May 16, 2009: The National Archives unveiled a plan for online access to the Founding Fathers' papers.
- October 12, 2010: The National Archives announced plans to put the Founders Online.
- September 20, 2020: The John Jay Papers were added to Founders Online.
- In February 2015, the National Archives awarded $2.2 million in grants for historical records projects.
- In May 2016, the National Archives awarded $3.2 million in grants for historical records projects.
- In May 2019, the National Archives awarded $3.5 million in grants for documentary editing and archival projects.
- In May 2020, the National Archives awarded $2.9 million for historical records projects.
- In May 2021, the National Archives announced $3.9 million in new NHPRC grants.
- In November 2021, the National Archives announced $3 million in new NHPRC grants.
- In December 2019, the National Archives awarded $2.6 million for historical records projects.
- In May 2022, the National Archives announced $4.8 million in new NHPRC grants.
Challenges
- May 11, 2001: The NHPRC struggled to balance increasing demands against constrained resources.
Partnerships
- In March 2017, the National Archives and the Mellon Foundation partnered to create Digital Edition Publishing Cooperatives.
- In January 2021, NHPRC-Mellon Digital Edition Publishing Cooperatives Grants were announced.
Logo and Online Switch
- January 13, 2006: The National Historical Publications & Records Commission unveiled a new logo.
- April 2006: The NHPRC switched to Grants.Gov.
Budget Reductions
- December 17, 2004: The Commission received a 50% budget reduction, affecting the Washington, Jefferson, and other Founders projects.
These funding announcements highlight the NHPRC’s ongoing grant support to archival institutions and NARA’s strategic investments in digital access and preservation projects during this period. More detailed year-by-year funding amounts or other specific programs are not captured in the available search results.
- The NHPRC's ongoing grant support for archival institutions also extends to education and self-development, as seen in the University of Cincinnati Libraries receiving a grant for civil rights-related records processing.
- Policy and legislation, particularly in the realm of online education and lifelong learning, have gained significance in recent years, with the NARA launching Founders Online in June 2013 and continuing to award grants for such projects.
- War and conflicts have also been a focus, as demonstrated by the digitization of Universal Newsreels (1929-1967) through a partnership with CreateSpace (an Amazon subsidiary).
- Crimes and justice are part of the general news, and the NHPRC has supported documentary editing and archival projects related to these topics, such as the June 2018 grants totaling $4.1 million.
- Car accidents, fires, and other unexpected incidents can lead to loss and damage of historical records. NARA's partnerships and investments in digitization aim to prevent such losses and ensure the preservation of these important records for future generations.
- Politics plays a role in funding decisions, as seen in the reduction of the NHPRC's budget by 50% in December 2004, which affected various historical records projects, including those focused on the Founding Fathers.
