By Jason Clingerman
In March we begin processing the collection of American Red Cross records donated to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in 2009. This was made possible due to the closing of the American Red Cross’ Hazel Braugh Records Center and Archives in Lorton, Virginia. These records will be incorporated into NARA’s already existing collection, Records of the American National Red Cross (ANRC).
These records provide valuable insight into the role of the American Red Cross in numerous human conflicts and natural disasters from the Thumb Fire of 1881 to the tragedy of September 11th in 2001.
Some of the records included in the donation pre-date the 1881 establishment of the American Red Cross. Many of these records relate to Clara Barton and her followers’ humanitarian work in crises such as the Franco-Prussian War of 1871. Also included in the donation are the records of the U.S. Sanitary Commission, a government agency which promoted health and sanitation in Union Army camps during the American Civil War.
Many of the donated records consist of artifacts which will eventually be digitized as part of Strategy Three of NARA’s Strategy for Digitizing Archival Materials for Public Access, 2007-2016.
Stay tuned over the next few months as we share the discoveries we make during the course of processing! When the processing is completed, we will also make you aware of all the records that become available for public use.