Published: August 27, 2024 by Andy Wiegert

https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/national-archives-building-national-historic-landmark-plaque

The National Archives Building has joined the distinguished ranks of National Park Service-designated National Historic Landmarks. This milestone—held by only 2,600 structures across the country—was achieved in December 2023, and the official plaque was unveiled with a ceremony today, August 22, 2024.

The accomplishment was a significant undertaking led by National Archives Historian Jessie Kratz over the past decade.

Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan provided opening remarks at the ceremony. 

Brian Joyner, acting superintendent of Rock Creek Park, served as a representative from the National Park Service, the federal agency that oversees the Landmark program, and spoke at the event. 

The process to gain National Historic Landmark status began in earnest in 2014 with an initial application. In 2021, the National Archives hosted Dr. Steven Bedford to present his completed National Historic Landmark study on the national significance of the National Archives Building, a critical step toward achieving Landmark status. On August 16, 2023, the National Park Service Advisory Board voted to recommend their approval on the National Historic Landmark nomination for the National Archives Building, moving the building another step closer to the status fully achieved later that year in December. 

As Kratz notes in her Pieces of History blog post regarding her process over the years:

“To become a Landmark, a site must have national significance. It must also demonstrate exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States in history, architecture, archeology, technology, and culture. A National Historic Landmark must possess a high degree of integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and meet one or more from six additional criteria.” 

An Archives.gov Special Topics page looks closely at the “most ornate structure in Washington, DC’s Federal Triangle.” 

National Historic Landmark records in our holdings document buildings coast to coast with proven intrinsic historic value. The record generated by the application will also provide future stakeholders with a concise history of the cultural and historical value of the National Archives Building. Now the National Archives’ own flagship building publicly displays its new plaque that testifies to its historical and architectural importance. 

“The National Archives is proud of this achievement, and to share it with visitors as one of the first and most prominent sights upon entering the National Archives Building from Constitution Avenue,” Shogan said.