America's 250th inspires new effort to preserve the nation’s history before it’s lost
Society of American Archivists and Preservica partner to safeguard many historical documents and ensure records remain accessible for future generations
CHICAGO and BOSTON — July 30, 2026 — In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, The Society of American Archivists (SAA) launched “250 for the 250th,” a national initiative bringing together archival collections from across the United States and its territories to share archived documents, photographs, and audiovisual materials that tell the wide-ranging stories that shape our heritage.
The initiative invited archival repositories from all 50 states, Washington, DC, and the seven US territories to contribute one item from their collections representing an aspect of American history. Through these contributions, “250 for the 250th” highlights the diverse voices, communities, and experiences that make up the nation’s documentary heritage.
The collection is organized according to the following themes and categories: Unfinished Revolutions, Power of Place, We the People, American Experiment, and Doing History—highlighting local history, underrepresented voices, everyday life, civic engagement, and moments of change—with some documents dating back 250 years to 1776. These pieces of history, which form a collective portrait of the nation’s rich, multifaceted, and often complex history, together create a substantial and enduring archival resource that is now available to researchers, students, and the public. The project was developed by SAA’s America 250 Task Force, established in 2025, to explore how the archival profession could contribute to the semiquincentennial anniversary and bring the work of archives across the country to the forefront.
With support from industry partner Preservica, the SAA America 250 Task Force created “250 for the 250th” to showcase the depth and diversity of archival collections from repositories of all sizes, including archives, libraries, museums, government institutions, universities, and cultural organizations.
Since the initiative launched, hundreds of submissions have been shared, representing a wide range of historical experiences—from local community milestones and personal correspondence to records documenting social movements, civic engagement, and cultural change. A few of the fascinating submissions include:
- The Hoover Dam, under construction (1934). Source: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Special Collections and Archives. See photo here.
- Mug shot and fingerprints from notorious outlaw Clyde Barrow (1928). Source: Dallas Municipal Archives – See document here.
- Handwritten first summary of the genetic code (1965) from Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Marshall W. Nirenberg. Source: National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD – See document here.
- The constitution and by-laws of the Free African Civilization Society of Baltimore (1834). Source: University of Maryland, Baltimore. See document here.
- Becoming American Citizens at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello (1992). Source: Thomas Jefferson Foundation Photograph Collection. See photo here.
Highlights from the collection are also showcased in this video:
“Archives preserve more than historical records; they preserve the voices, experiences, and perspectives that help communities understand their past and shape their future,” said Sarah Quigley, Chair of the SAA America 250 Task Force. “Through ‘250 for the 250th,’ we celebrate the work archivists do every day to ensure these stories remain accessible for generations to come. SAA hopes to inspire discussions—including difficult ones—about our nation’s history, our values, and our shared future.”
The initiative demonstrates how history is preserved not only through nationally recognized collections, but also through the everyday records that capture the experiences of individuals and communities. Stories shared through “250 for the 250th” include materials highlighting:
- Local histories and community experiences — showing how communities across the country have contributed to America’s evolving story.
- Advocacy, protest, and civic engagement — preserving the voices of individuals and groups who have shaped social change.
- Letters, journals, photographs, and personal papers — providing firsthand perspectives on everyday life and connecting future generations with the experiences of those who came before.
“Digital Preservation technology plays a critical role in safeguarding America’s most important historical artifacts and ensuring that records remain accessible for future generations,” said Mike Quinn, CEO of Preservica. “We are proud to support SAA and the archival community in creating new opportunities for people to discover and engage with the stories preserved in archives.”
As America’s 250th anniversary celebrations continue, “250 for the 250th” serves as a reminder of the essential role archivists play in preserving and sharing the records that connect communities to their past. The initiative celebrates the collections, institutions, and professionals dedicated to protecting America’s documentary heritage for generations to come.
Explore the growing collection of stories from archives across America at www.tinyurl.com/SAA250.
About the Society of American Archivists
Founded in 1936, the Society of American Archivists (SAA) is North America’s oldest and largest national archival professional association. SAA supports archivists and archives through education, advocacy, and collaboration to ensure the preservation and use of records that document America’s history and cultural heritage.
Visit the “250 for the 250th” collection: www.tinyurl.com/SAA250.
About Preservica
Preservica is changing the way organizations around the world protect and reuse long-term digital information. Preservica's AI-powered Active Digital Preservation™ archiving software automatically keeps every file alive in future-friendly formats over decades to ensure high-value information can always be quickly found, trusted and actioned for FOI, regulatory compliance, legal, brand and AI needs.
Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Preserve365® simplifies compliance and AI adoption by making the archiving, Digital Preservation and discovery of long-term and permanent records a seamless part of everyday Microsoft 365 and Microsoft SharePoint workflows. This embedded approach empowers Microsoft customers to maximize existing software investments such as Power Automate and Copilot to automate archiving, reduce cost and risk, simplify discovery, and build a foundation of trusted AI-ready long-term content.
Contact:
Maria Doyle
Doyle Strategic Communications (for Preservica)
+1-781-964-3536
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