National Archives Discusses Plans for Regional Headquarters in Great Park

OCTOBER 25, 2007 – IRVINE, California – For the second year in a row, the Orange County Great Park Board of Directors received presentation today from Tom Mills, Assistant Archivist for Regional Records Services, National Archives. Mr. Mills updated the Board on plans to create a new west coast regional archives facility at the Great Park. The new facility would give the National Archives the opportunity to expand programs, enhance exhibits, lectures, films and other public events. It would give the Great Park, and Orange County, a special opportunity to showcase historical archives specific to Orange County and the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

This plan is supported by a wide range of federal and state elected officials including the Orange County congressional delegation and United States Senator Diane Feinstein.

Orange County’s top archivist is special partner on this project. County archives will be housed in the proposed west coast facility at the Great Park, under the authority of Clerk-Recorder Tom Daly. “This will be a place where the public can roam, learn and question history in a modern setting,” Daly said. “We welcome the addition of such an important public resource to Orange County.”

In June 2006, the Great Park Board of Directors offered a parcel of Park land to the National Archives at no cost providing they create a facility at the Park. Public funds would provide for the operating costs, private support would fund public and educational programs. This unique public private partnership is now contingent on the federal budget action.

“The Great Park would be so proud to add this showcase of our local and national heritage to our special Park,” said Larry Agran, Chair, Great Park Board Corporation. “Residents and visitors would learn more about the history of our country and our own county right here at the west coast National Archives at the Great Park.”

The National Archives in cooperation with the Great Park Design Studio would design a new facility that expresses the importance of the National Archives. The 50,000 square foot building would include a permanent exhibit gallery similar to Public Vaults in Washington, D.C. It will emphasize the history and records of Southern California. A sampling of materials could include early land grant maps, photographs of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Base and famous court cases.

There will also be a temporary exhibit that will showcase traveling exhibits from major museums such as the National Archives Lawrence O’Brien gallery and the Smithsonian. A third smaller gallery will host temporary exhibits produced by the County and other archives and historical organizations from around the area. A sampling of materials on display could include early land grant maps, photographs from El Toro Marine Corps Air Station and famous court cases.

“With a mix of public and private funding, the National Archives building in Orange County Great Park will contain exciting exhibits, educational programs, and public events, as well as state-of-the-art archival preservation and research facilities,” said Tom Mills, Assistant Archivist for Regional Records Services,
National Archives. “We envision a West Coast National Archives that is a centerpiece of the Great Park Museum District a destination known throughout the region as a place for learning, discovery, and fun.”

The Orange County Great Park, which is almost twice the size of Central Park, will be a major metropolitan park and the focal point of the redevelopment of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro. The Great Park will include extensive natural areas and open space in addition to recreational and cultural uses.

For more information, please go to www.ocgp.org.

Press Contacts:
Maryann Maloney
(949) 375-0856