NEW ENGLAND—The New England Archivists (NEA), a membership organization of over 600 archivists and recordkeepers who live or work in New England, wholeheartedly condemns recent actions by the Trump Administration to undermine the strength, integrity, and diversity of the nation’s historical record.

Since taking office in January 2025, the Trump Administration has:

• Terminated a significant portion of archivists and cultural heritage workers at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the National Park Service (NPS), and other government agencies;
• Dismissed Colleen Shogan, the Eleventh Archivist of the United States, without communicating a reason as required by law (44 U.S.Code § 1203);
• Released a number of concerning executive orders that seek to deny the full history of American democracy and erase marginalized communities, particularly transgender and queer people, from the historical narrative.

Archives are the foundation of a democratic society. They exist to safeguard the rights of individuals, ensure transparency, and hold public servants accountable. This is particularly true for the nonpartisan NARA, where all permanent records generated by the government are preserved, from the nation’s founding documents to military personnel files, maps, drawings, photographs, electronic records, and more. In addition to compromising the livelihoods of thousands of individuals—many of whom we recognize as NEA members and colleagues—these alarming attacks on our national archives, historic sites, and public education embolden people in positions of power to promote false histories, evade responsibility, silence and erase historically marginalized communities, and, ultimately, harm our nation and its people. These decisions run contrary to the values that guide our profession: accountability, social responsibility, preservation, access, and use.

Moments like this are exactly why NEA exists. From our mission to our core values, we’re here to:

• Provide community and connection in uncertain times;
• Create affirming spaces and foster conversations that explicitly center diversity and inclusion;
• Leverage our collective voice to educate the general public about issues affecting archival work and connect with people in positions of power to advocate for positive change;
• Empower members with the resources they need to speak out against injustice at every level.

To our members who are disheartened and directly impacted by current events, know that you are not alone. Today and every day, NEA commits to stewardship of history that centers transparency, integrity, and professional ethics. We invite you to join us in prioritizing advocacy as a core function of our work by contacting your legislator and urging them to safeguard the government archives for the sake of a free and healthy democracy.

As we continue to get a clearer picture of the road ahead, we vow to provide our community with the resources necessary to advocate for change and identify actions we can take within our own organization to better support our membership and profession. Subscribe to our listserv, where we’ll be sharing updates on NEA’s response, actions you can take to get involved, and tips for advocacy. As a member-based, volunteer-run organization, our work is shaped by your feedback. If there are resources, programming, or specific actions that you’d like to see from NEA, let us know by filling out our form. 

ABOUT NEW ENGLAND ARCHIVISTS

Formed in 1973, New England Archivists (NEA) is a volunteer, regional organization comprised of archivists and record keepers who live or work in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and beyond. Our mission is to connect and support the diverse individuals and organizations in New England responsible for the care of cultural heritage and the documentary record, through advocacy, education, communication, and the forging of a strong, inclusive professional network.

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