[puzzlr]

This is terrible news for anyone doing research into the history of the northwest region. Moving the archives to Missouri or Los Angeles effectively makes them inaccessible to most of the people interested in them. At some point in the future they may be digitized and accessible remotely, but as of now, the article states that only ".001 percent" of the records have been digitized.

‘Terrible and disgusting’: Decision to close National Archives at Seattle a blow to tribes, historians in 4 states

Personally, I'm glad I was able to retrieve most of what I needed a few years ago in a series of visits, but if they are open a little longer I may make an effort to finish my todo list there.

--------------
Mid Fork Rocks • flickr

[Mike Collins]

I will miss the archives. The link will take you to an informative outing there in exploring the history of the Northwest. http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1481

[cdestroyer]

Closing military bases made no sense either except there is no war and a military cost money(currently 23 t debt) so closing other buildings and selling them to save expenses so that the lawn at the white house stays green and neatly trimmed!!

[Anne Elk]

A reader who posted to the S-T article snarked about the prior closing of an archive in Alaska.  So there has already been some past consolidation.  Maintaining regional archives makes complete sense, this move doesn't.  It might as well be torched, for the amt of inaccessibility this will create for those who want access the most.  Write to your reps/senators about it.

--------------
"There are yahoos out there.  It’s why we can’t have nice things."  - Tom Mahood

[puzzlr]

I did write Senator Cantwell the same day I read the article, but the entire delegation had already objected to the move. Can't hurt though.

A later article Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson looking into decision to close National Archives in Seattle indicates more push back might be coming. It also mentions time frames of several years before the archives is gone. So if it is moved, at least there's time to get in there before it does. I'm already reviewing what else I might want to see.

--------------
Mid Fork Rocks • flickr

[zephyr]