The National Archives to Announce Major Venue in New York City Display of Original New York Bill of Rights Ratification Opens Dec. 14 at Federal Hall

10 December 2006

News Advisory:

WHAT: The National Archives will announce plans for a major cultural presence at historic Federal Hall National Memorial, a Lower Manhattan site of the National Park Service. The National Archives, the Federal agency responsible for safeguarding and preserving the nation's government records, plans to share its rich documentary treasures with tens of thousands of people who come to Federal Hall to visit the site of the first U.S. capitol.

WHO: Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein will be joined in the announcement ceremony by members of the New York Congressional delegation, a representative of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the president of the Foundation for the National Archives:

-- Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)

-- Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)

-- Deputy Secretary of Interior Lynn Scarlett

-- Tom Wheeler, President of the Foundation for the National Archives

A highlight of the ceremony will be the unveiling of the original Ratification of the U.S. Bill of Rights by the State of New York by Professor Weinstein. The document will be on public display for four days only during the initial days of a new National Archives preview exhibit.

The celebration will also include a naturalization ceremony and a host of public offerings throughout the four-day Ratification display (Dec. 14-17), including interpreters in period costume, children's activities, free tours of the building, and onsite discussions of the Ratification document.

Unveiling ceremony and naturalization ceremony open to press only.

Federal Hall will open to the public at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 14.

WHERE: Federal Hall National Memorial, 26 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.

Use the Pine Street Entrance.

WHEN:

-- Archivist announcement and unveiling: Thursday, Dec. 14 at 9 a.m.

-- Naturalization ceremony: Thursday, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

-- Pre-set time for television/radio is 8:30 a.m.

Press interviews:

-- 9:30 a.m - with announcement participants.

-- 11:30 a.m. - with ceremony participants.

Photo opportunities:

-- 10:30 a.m. - naturalization ceremony.

-- 1 p.m. - Town Crier and George Washington.

The Federal Hall Web site is: http://www.nps.gov/feha/. Special building hours are as follows: Dec. 14, 1 p.m. -5 p.m.; Dec.15, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Dec 16-17, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Regular hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

Source: usnewswire

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