1968 Surveillance Materials @DC Archives

I visited the DC Archives (Office of Public Records) today.  

Bill Branch, the archivist, pulled Record Group 23 for me.  (thank you, Bill!  You are one of my archivist heroes!) RG 23 contains the Records of the Office of Emergency Preparedness. Demonstrations, Civil Disturbances and Special Events, 1965, 1968-1978.

These materials are both rich and disturbing.  Rich because they offer rare material, including the fliers, pamphlets, etc., that organizations produced and distributed. Disturbing because the materials are a record of the daily surveillance by police for the Mayor-Commissioner, Walter Washington, of individuals and organizations, including the Black United Front, Bus Drivers Strike, Howard University students, National Welfare Rights Organization, SDS, SNCC, Summer in the Parks and Women Strike for Peace.  

To learn more about the DC Archives and to make an appointment, go here.  The archives address is 1300 Naylor Court.  It is located in an alley and best entered from 9th Street between N & O Streets, NW, across from the gas station.  Once you enter the alley, make the first right and the building is on the left.