Our mission is to ensure that all Americans have ready access to essential evidence that documents the rights of American citizens, the actions of Government officials, and our national history.

Description and/or History:
The National Archives is an independent Federal agency that helps preserve our nation's history by overseeing the management of all Federal records.

In support of our mission to ensure that all Americans have ready access to essential evidence, the National Archives maintains a nationwide network of depositories.

Among these are the Archives I in Washington, DC; Archives II in College Park, MD; the Military and Civilian Personnel Centers in St. Louis, MO; and numerous Presidential Libraries and regional facilities.

The National Archives at New York City has custody of the permanently valuable records of field offices and divisions of Federal agencies in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

These records have continuing value for assisting in the necessary processes of government, for protecting public and private rights, and for providing scholars, students, and the general public with basic historical sources.

The National Archives at New York City also has many microfilmed records of high research value available for use along with public access computers to assist with our patron's projects.

The National Archives was created as an independent agency, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1934. On September of 1950 President Harry S. Truman signed legislation that changed the National Archives from an independent agency, as created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to a "Service" under the authority of a newly created General Services Administration.

We reverted back to our independent status on October 19, 1984 when President Ronald Reagan signed Public Law 98-497, which made the National Archives an independent agency effective April 1, 1985.

The National Archives remains an independent Federal agency that helps preserve our nation's history by overseeing the management of all Federal records. The National Archives hold the historically valuable records of the three branches of the Federal Government. These records document American History from the First Continental Congress to modern times.

Contact person: Christopher Zarr, Volunteer Coordinator, (212) 401-1620, (email)

Address:

201 Varick Street, 12th Floor New York, NY 10014 (See a map)

Directions:

We are located in Greenwich Village, on the 12th floor of the Federal building at Houston and Varick Streets (Seventh Avenue becomes Varick Street below Houston.) On the Number 1 subway, exit at Houston Street. The number 1 is the. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Houston Street,   Walk distance (in minutes): 0   Nearest Bus Stop: Houston Street, 0 minute walk