Whereas: Stories from the People’s House

#AskAnArchivist about #HouseRecords

Robin Reeder, the House Archivist, took a break from the records of the House to participate in the very first #AskAnArchivist day, October 30th, on Twitter. Organized by the Society of American Archivists, #AskAnArchivist day gave students and researchers the opportunity to ask questions about collections and archiving.

Here are some of the questions (and answers) fielded about #HouseRecords.

“What is the largest single item you have archived?”

.@zackschagrin Largest #HouseRecords include tally sheets of electoral votes: around 30" x 12". #AskAnArchivistpic.twitter.com/vovxVrOwkG

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

“Are the House archives open to outside researchers?”

.@HASinCT To research #HouseRecords, visit @CongressArchive, at @USNatArchives.#AskAnArchivisthttp://t.co/OTrLGSZFW3pic.twitter.com/zTM3LtJgbE

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

“What is the most interesting piece of history you have conserved/preserved?”

.@lizcovart Nixon's refusal to comply with Judiciary Comm subpoenas. #AskAnArchivist (1/2) http://t.co/BU1uAqvgRMpic.twitter.com/LuKC53ID5T

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

“What would you just LOVE to show someone or help them research?”

.@LaurieThompson#CivilRightsAct. Engrossed copy is part of the #HouseRecords#AskAnArchivisthttp://t.co/SLbuXaGGohpic.twitter.com/kKi7EStsdR

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

.@LaurieThompson And #HouseRecords include the markup of the Voting Rights Act #AskAnArchivisthttp://t.co/yZ3Ozsqp7kpic.twitter.com/tUwX7cEGoD

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

“What’s the most challenging collection or series you’ve worked on?”

.@vpickel Challenge? Election certificates:seals, ribbons. See Davy Crockett's #AskAnArchivisthttp://t.co/d1d6FHJEDUpic.twitter.com/HTRul3fy1v

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

“What is the most unique, surprising item in your archives?”

.@LyoLouisJacques One funny item is photo of Rep Scott Leavitt with a wolf he took on House floor #AskAnArchivistpic.twitter.com/PV4waKQY5e

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

“Do all archivists have very orderly closets and kitchen drawers, or do you keep work at work?”

.@SayAnniething Not necessarily, I save all my orderliness for the records. #AskAnArchivistpic.twitter.com/PfGVQrYfNh

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

In addition to tweeting about textual records,

One of the oldest #HouseRecords is the First Journal of the House, 1789-1791. #AskAnArchivistpic.twitter.com/GvufmdYext

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

...she explained that...

Not all #HouseRecords are paper. We have #erecords & #photos (like Congressional Baseball Game) too! #AskAnArchivistpic.twitter.com/tADTZQBL57

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

Then Robin shared one last #AskAnArchivist tweet:

Final #AskAnArchivist#preservation lesson: don't keep your records in the (Capitol) attic. http://t.co/SMSOaIo7QPpic.twitter.com/ouG4XkBnrq

— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) October 30, 2014

Follow @USHouseHistory on Twitter for more tweets about House history, #HouseRecords, and the #HouseCollection of art and artifacts.

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