How to ruin your reputation as a researcher AND get banned for life from the National Archives

…all in one easy step.  Tip of the hat to Kevin Levin.

Now we can add altering original documents to the list of historical no-nos that people should have enough sense not to commit, along with plagiarism, invention of records, lying about your background, and pretending to be buddies with Dwight Eisenhower.

Lowry claims that the National Archives pressured him into a confession. Apparently archivists can be pretty intimidating, when they put their minds to it. Is there a warren of dingy rooms with concrete floors and bare light bulbs tucked away within NARA headquarters for just such a purpose?  Do they ask the CIA to lend a hand?  Do they bring in mob muscle?  Batman?

Discovering the Civil War at the National Archives

The hardworking folks at the National Archives were kind enough to pass along some information about their fantastic Civil War exhibit, the second phase of which opens this month in Washington, D.C.  Check out this video:

This looks like the most comprehensive display of NA Civil War material ever.  More information about the exhibit is available here.  If you can’t make it to D.C., don’t fret.  The whole show is going on the road next year, so keep an eye out.