January 31, 2000
February Public Programs at the National Archives
Washington, DC . . . In addition to four special lectures in celebration of Black History month, the National Archives and Records Administration presents programs relating to the new National Archives exhibition entitled "Treasures of Congress", and to McCarthyism and the Cold War.
The programs are free and open to the public and will take place at the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The public may verify times and dates by calling the National Archives public events line at (202) 501-5000. TDD users may call (202) 501-5404.
Wednesday, February 2-Black History Month
William Hannibal Thomas (1843-1935), an Ohio mulatto who served with distinction in the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War, was a self-professed-and nationally known-critic of his own race. John David Smith will discuss his book, Black Judas: William Hannibal Thomas and the American Negro, which examines Thomas's transformation from a critical but optimistic black nationalist to a cynical Negrophobe as the 20th century dawned. Professor Smith is Graduate Alumni Distinguished Professor of History at North Carolina State University. Noon. Room 105.
Wednesday, February 9-50th Anniversary of McCarthyism in America (Symposium/Booksigning)
The National Archives, in conjunction with the Eisenhower Center at the University of New Orleans and Yale University Press, is holding a day-long public symposium on the 50th anniversary of McCarthyism. Conference co-chairs Douglas Brinkley and Sam Tanenhaus will introduce the program with keynote addresses. Speakers include Stephen Ambrose, James Chace, John Patrick Diggens, John Haynes, Stefan Kanfer, Harvey Klehr, Michael Lind, Patrick Maney, George Nash, David Oshinsky, Richard Powers, Ron Radosh, Thomas Reeves, Michael Rogan, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Ellen Schrecker, Martin Sherwin Patricia Sullivan, Jessica Wang, Allen Weinstein, and Michael Ybarra. Call 202-208-7345 for more information and reservations. 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Theater.
Thursday, February 10-Black History Month
Bruce Adelson will discuss his book, Brushing Back Jim Crow: The Integration of Minor League Baseball in the American South. Although Jackie Robinson broke the color line in major league baseball in 1947, African American players continued to struggle for acceptance on southern farm teams well into the 1960s. Mr. Adelson interviewed dozens of athletes, managers, and sportswriters who witnessed this important, but largely unrecognized front in the civil rights movement. Noon. Room 105.
Wednesday, February 16-Treasures of Congress
In an illustrated talk, Bruce Bustard, curator of "Treasures of Congress," will discuss his work on this new exhibit in the Rotunda. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the move of the Congress to Washington, DC, the exhibit showcases the central role the House and Senate have played over the course of American history through petitions, resolutions, roll call votes, and bills. The audience may view the exhibit following the lecture. Noon. Room 105.
Wednesday, February 23-Black History Month
"Fiends . . . facing Zion-wards": Abraham Lincoln's Reluctant Embrace of the Abolitionists.
Although Lincoln believed that slave emancipation during the Civil War was the most memorable event of his administration, he was still held in contempt by the northern abolitionists. Was this simply a clash between a cautious leader and impatient reformers? Or does Lincoln represent a very different way of tackling the deep problems of American life? These provocative questions are posed by speaker Allen C. Guelzo, author of Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President, published last fall by Eerdmans. Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Institute of the Mid-Atlantic. Noon. Room 105.
Thursday, February 24-Spies and Disloyalty
"Spies and Disloyalty: The Internal Security Dilemma During the Eisenhower Presidency" examines the dilemma of balancing the needs of internal and national security with the rights of the individual during the cold war. The panel consists of four experts: William P. Rogers, former U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Secretary of State; Dr. H. W. Brands, Ralph Thomas Professor of History and Coordinator, Program in Foreign Relations, George Bush School of Government, Texas A&M University, author of several books and articles on the Eisenhower years and the Cold War; Dr. Jack Holl, Chair, Department of History, Kansas State University, author of two award-winning books on the history of atomic energy; and Dr. Gerald Haines, Chief Historian, Center for the Study of Intelligence, CIA, former staff historian, National Security Agency. For reservations and information, call toll free 1-877-RING IKE (746-4453) or email eisenhower.library@nara.gov. Registration 1:30; program 2-4:30 P.M. Theater.
Tuesday, February 29-Black History Month-Photography
Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson discuss their book, The Face of Our Past: Images of Black Women from Colonial America to the Present. This comprehensive pictorial history tells the story of black women with 302 images and quotations from letters, diaries, journals, and other sources. Hilary Mac Austin was a contributing writer to The Encyclopedia of Black Women in America. Kathleen Thompson co-authored, with Darlene Clark Hine, A Shining Thread of Hope: The History of Black Women in America. Noon. Room 105.
For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.
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