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American History Through the Eyes and the Letters of the People

How do the almost aristocratic atmosphere of the National Archives's rotunda and the democratic sensations of "The Public Vaults"--a new exhibition area featuring computer screens-- find common ground?

One way can be seen in an unusual new exhibition organized by Stacey Bredhoff, "Eyewitness: American Originals From the National Archives." Its 25 "documents" provide a human record of history: first-person accounts — in audio, video and ink — of events witnessed, decisions made, actions taken.
Read entire article at NYT