Dear Friends,
After 12 years as the tenth Archivist of the United States, I have decided to retire, effective mid-April, 2022.
As I wrote to President Biden, it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve my country once more, this time to lead the Executive Branch agency charged with ensuring that the American people can hold their government accountable and learn from the past by accessing the records of our country. My time here has been filled with opportunities, challenges, and awesome responsibilities. Over the past several months, as I contemplated retirement and reflected on my time at the Archives, I am especially proud of all we have built and grateful for your valuable input and continuing support.
I’m extraordinarily proud of what we have accomplished during my tenure and hope that you too take pride in our efforts and results. We’ve become a leader in the government’s transition to a digital future, electronic records management, and the principles of Open Government. We’ve expanded access to the National Archives holdings through unprecedented digital delivery of records, top-tier research facilities, and extraordinary exhibits and public programs in person and virtually. We’ve been dedicated to establishing civic literacy initiatives to underscore the importance of public participation in a democracy. And we have developed cultural products and services that address challenging issues, promote creativity, increase transparency, and expand diversity and inclusion.
Deputy Archivist Debra Steidel Wall will serve as Acting Archivist until the President nominates and the Senate confirms my successor.
I am grateful for the support you have shown me and our mission. Thank you. It is not easy to leave the National Archives with so much exciting work in progress. However, I know that with your continued engagement and collaboration the National Archives will achieve successes I cannot imagine. I wish you all the very best in the years ahead.
Sincerely,
DAVID S. FERRIERO
Archivist of the United States