Happy American Archives Month!!!

After writing and publishing a post about the Sacramento Archives Crawl and learning that October is National Archives Month, I found myself wanting to learn more about National Archives Month. I learned that National Archives Month began in 2006! 

Below is additional information about National Archives Month I discovered through the use of Google Gemini.

American Archives Month (often referred to as National Archives Month) takes place every October in the United States. Spearheaded nationally by the Society of American Archivists (SAA) alongside institutions like the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Council of State Archivists (CoSA), it celebrates the importance of preserving historical records and highlights the vital work archivists do to make history accessible.

Core Purpose & Goals

• Public Education: Demystify what archives are and raise awareness about why preserving paper documents, audio/video recordings, and digital media matters for history, culture, and accountability.

• Promoting Accessibility: Show the public how to access local, state, and national history—whether for genealogical research, historical inquiry, or civic engagement.

• Highlighting Professionals: Showcase the archivists, conservators, and record managers behind the scenes who catalog, clean, digitize, and safeguard primary sources.

Key Signature Events During the Month

• #AskAnArchivist Day: A nationwide social media event where archivists from universities, museums, government repositories, and presidential libraries answer questions directly from the public on platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, and Threads.

• Electronic Records Day (#ERecsDay): Coordinated by the Council of State Archivists (CoSA) to educate the public and government agencies on managing long-term digital preservation, backups, and digital file integrity.

• Behind-the-Scenes Tours & Open Houses: State archives, presidential libraries, municipal repositories, and local historical societies host open houses, virtual tours, and document transcription parties.

How Organizations & Communities Participate

1. Unlocking Hidden Collections: Institutions share "mystery photos" or highlight standout primary sources (letters, old maps, rare artifacts) across social channels using #ArchivesMonth.

2. Community Archives & Family History: Libraries and archives host workshops teaching individuals how to properly store and preserve family heirlooms, photographs, and personal digital files.

3. State & Local Proclamations: Governors and local officials issue official proclamations declaring October as Archives Month to support public funding and awareness for preservation.

Will you be participating in an archive crawl?