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Major Agency Sites
- Library of Congress
Includes historical resources and digital exhibits under
the American Memory section, access to the library's
online catalogs, and an A-Z topic index of features.
- National
Archives and Records Administration
Links to copies of the Declaration of Independence, the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Stores and preserves
the records of the Federal agencies, offers links to the
Presidential Libraries, the Archival Research Catalog, and
the Electronic Records Archive.
- National
Endowment for the Arts
News and information about federal funding of the arts,
arts education publications, and application
forms/guidelines.
- National
Endowment for the Humanities
News and information about federal funding of scholarly
research. Also includes information about
NEH-sponsored programs, applications forms, and
guidelines.
- Smithsonian Institution
Information about the museums, their exhibits, publications
and programs, and how to become a supporting member.
- Library
of Virginia
Access to catalogs and collections of the library including
some digital resources available online.
- Virginia Commission for the Arts
The agency which supports funding for arts and artists in
Virginia. Lists guidelines for funding, awards for
the current year and a directory of arts-related
events.
- Virginia Department of Historic
Resources
Features the Atlas of Virginia Archaeology with index and
site map. Also includes information about the
historical highway marker program and forms/applications
for archaeological investigations/rehabilitations.
Arts
Anthropology/Archeology
- National Anthropological Archives
Information about the collections and services of the NAA which collects and preserves historic and contemporary materials that document the world's cultures and the history of anthropology.
- National Archeological Database
Features records for over 240,000 archeological reports and maps by county and state of archeological resources.
Copyright
- Copyright Basics
Offers basic information about what copyright is, what can and can't be copyrighted, who can get it, and how to get it.
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Copyright Forms
Offers list of Copyright Office forms for downloading and instructions about procedures/ fees.
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Copyright Search
Experimental search engine for identifying ownership of copyrights to books, periodicals, music, and other formats. Search by author, title, claimant, or registration number.
Databases and Resources Guides
- AAD: Access to Archival Databases System
Online access to a selection of nearly 50 million historic electronic records created by more than 20 federal agencies. The first publicly accessible application developed under the Electronic Records Archives Program of the National Archives and Records Administration.
- ARC: The Archival Research Catalog
The online catalog of the National Archives and Records Administration's nationwide holdings including the regional archives and Presidential Libraries.. Searches microfilm publications and archival holdings descriptions, plus over 100,000 digital copies. Covers at present only a limited portion of NARA's holdings. Formerly called the NARA Archival Information Locator (NAIL).
- ARC Guide for Educators and Students
Tips on how to use the Archival Research Catalog of the National Archives and Records Administration.
- Encyclopedia Smithsonian
Offers answers to frequently asked questions at the Smithsonian Museum and links to resources. Provides subject access to the collections of the museums and information about the collections.
- Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States.
A web version of the 3 volume Guide published in 1995. Web version is regularly updated to reflect acquisition of new records. Identifies National Archives holdings at the record group level to assist researchers in finding material relevant to their topics.
- IMLS Digital Collections Registry: A Gateway to Digital Collections Funded Through the IMLS National Leadership Grant Program
Offers digital collections from all subject areas and from different institutions, including libraries, museums, and historical societies. From the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the University of Illinois Library.
- International Cultural Property Protection
Information, treaties, news releases and more about the U.S. role in protecting international cultural property and the problem of international theft.
- Minerva: Mapping the Internet Electronic Resources Virtual Archive
Site maintained by the Library of Congress and partners to archive Internet resources on various major themes including elections and September 11, 2001.
- Siris
The Research Information System of the Smithsonian Institution. Offers online access to Smithsonian research materials and collections through six catalogs: Libraries, Archives & Manuscripts, Art Inventories, Photographic Collections, Research Bibliographies, and the Smithsonian Chronology.
- Smithsonian Institution Art and Design
Gateway to Smithsonian online exhibits on art and entertainment topics
- Smithsonian Institution History and Culture
Gateway to Smithsonian online exhibits on science and technology topics
- Smithsonian Institution Science and Technology
Gateway to Smithsonian online exhibits on science and technology topics
History and Historical Resources
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Serves as major policy advisor to the federal government for historic preservation. Site includes complete federal regulations for "Protection of Historic Properties" and how to get property listed on the National Register.
- American Memory
Collections of online documents, photographs, films, and recordings on events in American history from the Library of Congress
- American Social and Cultural History
A selection of links from the Smithsonian Institution with information on such topics as a timeline of American history, clothing-costume-and fashion, community and domestic life, holiday celebrations, recreation and leisure, dance, film and television, literature and poetry, work and labor history, photography and more.
- Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
A database with basic information about 4.5 million soldiers and sailors who served in the Civil War. Also includes histories of regiments, records from cemeteries, descriptions of significant battles, records of prisoners, and winners of medals of honor. From the National Park Service.
- History Wired: A Few of our Favorite Things
Offers a virtual tour of objects in the collections of the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution. Covers some of the 95% of material which can't be displayed for lack of space in the galleries. Offers approaches by subject and historical period. Initially covers 450 objects with background information and some sound.
- National Register of Historic Places
The nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Allows searches by state or state/county and covers more than 70,000 properties, structures, districts, and objects. Sponsored by the National Park Service.
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion
30 Volumes in two series which cover the operations of Union and Confederate ships during the Civil War as well as correspondence, muster rolls, statistical data, and diplomatic correspondence. From Cornell University's Making of America website.
- Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service
Features access to 100 milestone documents in American history from the Declaration of Independence (1776) to the Voting Rights Act (1965). Sponsored by the National Archives and others.
- Today in History
Extended information on an event, birth, or notable happening that occurred on this day in history. Offers link to archive of historical events. From the Library of Congress American Memory site.
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
70 volumes, many in multiple parts, in 4 series which covers reports, correspondence and orders for military operations, treatment of prisoners of war, and mustering of forces relating to the Civil War. Includes both Union and Confederate records. From Cornell University's Making of America website.
- We The People
Information on the study, teaching, and understanding of American history and culture. Features an annual Heroes of History lecture. From the National Endowment for the Humanities.
- WPA Life Histories-Virginia Writers Project
Contains more than one thousand life histories including interviews with former slaves. Digitized documents originally created by the Virginia Writers' Project during the depression years. Included in the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections site.
Humanities
Land Records
- Official Land Patent Records Site
Offers database and image access to more than two million federal land title records for eastern states issued from 1820 to 1908. Sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management.
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