This week, the National Archives unveiled two landmark documents—President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and General Order No. 3—marking pivotal moments in America’s pursuit of freedom. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863, freed enslaved people in areas of rebellion. General Order No. 3, issued on June 19, 1865, extended that freedom to those still enslaved in Texas. It’s why we now celebrate Juneteenth as a national holiday.
But the District of Columbia has its own history of emancipation. On April 16, 1862—months before Lincoln’s proclamation—Congress passed a law ending slavery in D.C., compensating slaveholders in the process. That day is recognized as Emancipation Day in the District and is an official local holiday.
As we reflect on these milestones, we must also consider where and how our historical records are preserved. The grandeur of the National Archives reminds us of the importance of safeguarding the nation’s history. But D.C.’s own archival legacy remains hidden—tucked away in a warehouse down an alley called Naylor Court in Shaw.
Plans for a modern, state-of-the-art D.C. Archives building on the campus of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) have now been scrapped. Despite some construction already underway, Mayor Bowser’s proposed 2026 budget eliminates funding for the new archives facility. Instead, the building will be repurposed for student housing. The administration proposes using the Charles Sumner School for public access and leasing another off-site warehouse.
Yes, we acknowledge the District’s budget constraints. But cutting this project reflects a lack of vision—and a failure to honor D.C. residents’ ongoing fight for self-determination. A proper archive isn’t just about documents—it’s about dignity, identity, and legacy.
If we don’t value our own history and invest in preserving it, who will?
Restore funding for the D.C. Archives in the 2026 budget. Make our history a priority.