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Seminar on Records and Archives in Society

Course This Week Past Readings History Archives Projects

Silvia Hansman, Hist 0647, Spring1999 Leland, Waldo Gifford "The Prehistory and Origins of The National Historical Publications Commission", The american Archivist, vol. 27, pp. 187-194.   The Origins of The National Historical Publications Commission Main thesis: Jameson was a graduate and teacher from Hopkins University. He was interested in the foundation of the historical work and the filling in of gaps in documentation of the history of the United States. He was the main responsible for the creation of The National Historical Publications Commission: an institution that encourage and support the editing and publication of documents. Jameson conceive this idea as early as 1886 and presented it to the Librarian of Congress and to the Joint Committee on the Library of the House and Senate, without results. In 1887 a commission (government official) was constituted but never held a meeting nor reported to congress. Jamesons' first public statement was made in 1890. In a report to the AHA Jameson stated the need of a program to publishing documentary editions not only of government but also private materials. Meanwhile the Historical Manuscript commission of AHA (1895) took this task. For forty four years Jameson was active to the creation of The National Historical Publications Commission. Evaluation of thesis: Leland links very clearly Jamesons historical interests to the need of a publishing institution and shows how Jameson used his positions in many institutions to educate federal officials and to generate public support. Relation to other readings: Jamesons' lobbyist talent is also remarked by McCoy in guardian of heritage were Leland is presented as the archival theoretician wile Jameson is presented as the coordinator and chief lobbyist. Also mentioning how he enlisted the support of historical associations, patriotic societies, newspapers and magazines. Cox mention that the mission of this commission expanded in 1975 to fund projects for the preservation and improvement of administration of records in twenty seven states. Posner agree with Jamesons' important role but differ with Leland mostly in the degree of autonomy that the new State Archives enjoyed in the new state building. Questions not addressed: I think that the creation of the National Archives and The National Historical Publications Commission are issues that must be presented together because the creation of the second seems to be based in the establishment of the first. Overall assessment: I think this article emphasize the political role that the historian community adopt in the shaping of archival institutions in the united States. The weakness of the article is that it focus on the creation of The National Historical Publications Commission and does not stress its relation to the NARS nor it achivements. It is a good reading combined with Guardians of Heritage.