Last updated: November 23, 2025
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Guide to the Harpers Ferry Center Library and Archives Collection
This finding aid describes the Harpers Ferry Center (HFC) Library and Archives Collection, part of the NPS History Collection. To search this guide for names, places, key words, or phrases enter Ctrl F on your keyboard (command key + F key on a Mac). Request an in-person research appointment or get more information by contacting the archivist.
Collection Overview
Collection Number: HFCA 1645 (Series V.C)
Accession Numbers: HFCA-01203
Creator: National Park Service Harpers Ferry Center
Title: Harpers Ferry Center Library and Archives Collection
Dates: 1933-2007 (bulk dates: 1961-1991)
Volume of Collection: 2.5 LF
Language of Materials: English
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized.
Conditions Governing Access: This collection is open to research use.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use: See the NPS general copyright & restrictions information.
Provenance: These files were created or assembled by HFC Librarian David Nathanson and his staff, including museum staff for the NPS History Collection.
Processing Note: This collection was processed by Collen Williams in 2012. It was updated for the internet by Nancy Russell in November 2025.
Rights Statements for Archival Description: This guide is in the public domain.
Preferred Citation: Harpers Ferry Center Library and Archives Collection, NPS History Collection (HFCA 1645)
Location of Repository: NPS History Collection, Harpers Ferry Center, PO Box 50, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Related Materials:
- Records of the National Park Service (RG79), National Archives and Records Administration
Administrative History Note
Harpers Ferry Center (HFC) was established in 1970 as the interpretive design center for the National Park Service (NPS). To support the HFC mission, staff needed to conduct detailed research on a wide range of topics, necessitating access to a wide range of library materials. David Nathanson was hired as librarian in 1974. In April 1975 the library was moved from the NPS leased space in Springfield, Virginia, to the Anthony Library building on the HFC campus. About 1979 he hired library technician Nancy Potts Flannagan to assist him. Over the next 40 years, the library grew to contain tens of thousands of books, reports, periodicals, and rare books.
In September 1967 NPS Director George B. Hartzog, Jr. tasked Cornelius Heine, his special assistant, with creating an archive for the NPS. In October 1968, Heine prepared “An Archival Study for the National Park Service.” On December 31, 1968, James B. Rhoads, archivist of the United States, sent Director Hartzog a letter indicating that the National Archives and Records Service (now NARA) was in “general agreement” with Heine’s recommendations.
On October 2, 1970, HFC’s first director, Bill Everhart, discussed the NPS Archives with Dr. David Wallace. Wallace began his career in 1957 as an historian at Independence NHP, and by 1959 was the park’s curator. In 1968 he became assistant chief of the NPS Branch of Museum Operations in Springfield. Everhart asked Wallace to “draw up ideas” and a timetable for 1970-1971 and indicate his interest in the archives program. Wallace did that on October 3, 1970. On October 12, Everhart sent a memorandum to Frank Harrison, an NPS special assistant, providing recommendations regarding implementation of the NPS Archives Project, as it was called.
On November 12, 1970, Everhart informed Wallace that Hartzog approved his outline. Wallace was detailed to the job for the remainder of FY1971. The initial budget from October 1970-June 1971 was $15,000 for the archivist’s salary, part-time stenographic assistance, travel, and related costs. According to Everhart’s proposed schedule, by July 1972, the program would “occupy permanent space, carry out systematic acquisition program, [and] obtain approved long- and short-range action program.”
Director Hartzog shared formal approval to the NPS Archives at HFC in a November 6, 1972, memorandum noting, “I have long been aware that the National Park Service has not done all that is desirable to preserve its own history. Many government agencies maintain historical offices for this purpose, not only for antiquarian interest but to serve the continuing needs of management. Current policies and decisions cannot be properly formulated without reference to past experience.”
Wallace recruited Richard Russell as archivist in 1972. He had two assistants: Anita Morris and Sue Tillman. Although referred to as the “NPS Archives,” objects were collected from the beginning. The program is now called the NPS History Collection. Tom Durant was a librarian by training, but he acted as the photo archivist. He was hired about 1980 in the Branch of Graphics Research in the Springfield office. Around 1990, he and the historic photograph collection moved to HFC and became part of the Office of Library & Archives under Nathanson. In 1992 the photograph collection moved to the leased Willow Springs facility in Charles Town, West Virginia. Sylvia Frye began working at HFC as the registrar for conservation in 1992. In 2000 she became the museum specialist for the NPS History Collection. She was the de facto curator for the object collection, including the uniform collection.
In 2007 Nathanson, Flannigan, and Durant retired in quick succession. Frye retired in mid-2008. Most positions remained vacant, although about July 2007 John Brucksch was appointed deputy associate manager for Media Assets, managing the NPS History Collection and the HFC Commissioned Art Collection. He was an HFC historic furnishings curator moved into the position after another HFC reorganized. Without staff, little progress was made during the next decade, although in 2009 the rest of the collection and the HFC library was moved from the Anthony Library to the Willow Springs facility. Brucksch retired in January 2015. HFC reorganized again to bring the NPS History Collection, HFC library, and HFC Commissioned Art Collection, together with museum conservation, into the Museum Conservation & Collections Division, managed by Linda Blaser.
In April 2016 Blaser hired Nancy Russell as archivist and program manager for the NPS History Collection. The library collection became her collateral duty. She was supported by temporary and term staff and interns until 2021 when permanent (but half-time) museum technician Casey Oehler and staff archivist Jessica Scott were hired. Scott left the NPS in February 2024 and was succeeded by Eleanore Kohorn in late September 2024. Oehler became permanent full-time museum curator in October 2024.
In the early 2000s, HFC began relying on park staff to provide the content for the interpretive media designed at HFC, making much of the library holdings superfluous. Efforts in 2018 and 2025 subsequently reduced the scope and content of the library, refocusing it more sharply on NPS and park management history. Also in 2025, the historic furnishings library began to be managed separately by HFC’s historic furnishings curators.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, meeting agendas and minutes, clippings, photographs, brochures, and reports documenting the HFC Library and Archives Program, including the NPS Archives (the bureau museum collection now known as the NPS History Collection). Topics include daily division operations, projects, goals, studies and reports, museum and library policies, NPS standards and guidelines, and general NPS history. Of note is Cornelius Heine’s study which lead to the creation of the bureau museum collection.
Arrangement
Arranged by alphabetically by topic.
Container List
BOX 01
Folder 01: Accession Records, 1966-1972
Folder 02: Accession Records, 2007
Folder 03: Donations, 1961-1978
Folder 04: Field Surveys, 1967-1980
Folder 05: History of NPS Archives, 1933-1974
Folder 06: History of NPS Archives, 1975-1986
Folder 07: History of the NPS Archives: Heine Study, 1967-1970
BOX 02
Folder 01: History of the NPS Archives: Heine Study, 1967
Folder 02: History of the NPS Archives: National Park Historical Society, 1967-1970 Folder 03: History of the NPS Archives: NPS Archives Advisory Committee, 1988-1991 Folder 04: History of the NPS Archives: NPS Archives Advisory Committee, 1992 [1 of 2]
Folder 05: History of the NPS Archives: NPS Archives Advisory Committee, 1992 [2 of 2]
Folder 06: History of the NPS Archives: NPS Archives Policy Review, 1978-1979 Folder 07: Inventories and Catalogs, 1963-1988
BOX 03
Folder 01: Inventories and Catalogs, 1988
Folder 02: Inventories and Catalogs, 1989-1992
Folder 03: Inventories and Catalogs, 2003
Folder 04: Legislation, 1935-1979
Folder 05: Library Accountability Project, 1996
Folder 06: Library Accountability Project, 1998 [1 of 2]
BOX 04
Folder 01: Library Accountability Project, 1998 [2 of 2]
Folder 02: Library Management Workshop, 1987
Folder 03: Library Management Workshop, 1988
Folder 04: Library Management Workshop, 1989
Folder 05: Library Management Workshop, 1990
Folder 06: Library Management Workshop, 1991
BOX 05
Folder 01: Library Meeting and Workshop, 2002 [1 of 2]
Folder 02: Library Meeting and Workshop, 2002 [2 of 2]
Folder 03: Library Training Workshop, 1977-1983
Folder 04: Loans and Reference, 1971-2000
Folder 05: Loans and Reference: Office Binder: A-O, 1961-1978
Folder 06: Loans and Reference: Office Binder: P-Z, 1957-1977
Folder 07: Meetings, 1967-1973
Folder 08: National Archives and Records Administration, 1963-1994
BOX 06
Folder 01: NPS Photo Collections, 1979-1988
Folder 02: Office of Library, Archives and Graphics Research, 1942-1999
Folder 03: Projects, 1945-1981
Folder 04: Publications, 1983-1991
Folder 05: Standards and Guidelines, 1958-1980
Folder 06: Standards and Guidelines, 1984-1985
Folder 07: Standards and Guidelines, 1990-1994
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