The Smithsonian’s archives celebrate “October is American Archives Month” with a Smithsonian Archives Fair Friday, October 14th, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the concourse of the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center at 1100 Jefferson Drive S.W. in Washington, D.C.

The event will feature a lecture series on projects and research based on Smithsonian collections, informational displays from more than a dozen Smithsonian archives and an Ask the Smithsonian program with hands-on consultations and preservation tips from experts such as archivists, librarians, museum specialists and conservators to teach local-area residents how to care for items they have tucked away in the attics, closets and basements of their homes.

Preregistration is required for the Ask the Smithsonian program. One to two easily transported archival items (two if the items are related) no larger than a shopping bag may be brought in for review, and up to 2 persons arriving together to discuss the same object may be accommodated.

Archival materials include letters, diaries, maps, scrapbooks, photographs, films, recordings and computer disks—anything that contains information of enduring value. Objects such as paintings, dolls, clothing/textiles, mechanical objects and toys will not be reviewed. The reviews are informational only; monetary appraisals will not be given and donations will not be accepted at this time. To register for an Ask the Smithsonian appointment, register for one of the time slots above. Please note that the overall number of appointments are limited, and each time slot has limited availability, so sign up well in advance to ensure an appointment with our Smithsonian experts.

For more information on the Smithsonian Archives Fair including the lecture program schedule, see http://www.aaa.si.edu/archivesmonth