AT&T Gives $100,000 to Foundation for the National Archives

Grant to Support Discovering the Civil War Exhibition

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AT&T has contributed $100,000 to the Foundation for the National Archives in support of the National Archives Experience's upcoming exhibition Discovering the Civil War.

AT&T's contribution will be used to enhance the educational components of the exhibition through the development of public programming, online content, publications, and outreach materials.

"We are pleased to partner with the Foundation for the National Archives to share the often-overlooked stories of everyday men and women from vastly different backgrounds whose lives were dramatically altered by the Civil War," said Laura Sanford, assistant vice president of AT&T Corporate Contributions. "AT&T also applauds the exhibition's goal to teach critical thinking and research techniques to students, as these skills are critical to success, not only in school and in the workforce, but also in life."

"This generous contribution from AT&T will enable the National Archives to leverage the Civil War exhibit by bringing the exciting discoveries to millions of people beyond the confines of the exhibition itself," said Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero. "Anyone interested in the Civil War will have the opportunity to discover new insights and new perspectives based on National Archives documents."

"We are grateful to AT&T for its leadership as we embark on our largest and most ambitious traveling exhibition to date," said Ken Lore, president of the Foundation for the National Archives. "We thank AT&T for sharing our commitment to civics education and innovative learning techniques and our belief in the power of original records to bring history to life for visitors of all ages."

Discovering the Civil War – created by a public-private partnership between the National Archives and Records Administration and the Foundation for the National Archives -- opens April 30, 2010 at the Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and eventually will travel around the country. It will present the most extensive display ever assembled from the incomparable Civil War holdings of the National Archives, including letters, diaries, photos, maps, petitions, receipts, patents, and Constitutional amendments.

Combining the Archives' great Civil War treasures, including a brief showing of the fragile and rarely displayed Emancipation Proclamation, with engaging touch-screen interactives incorporating social media tools, the exhibition invites visitors to take a fresh look at the war through the lens of 2010 technology.

The exhibition, which is free, will be shown in two parts in Washington before traveling as one exhibition. Part I opens April 30, 2010 and runs through September 19, 2010. Part II opens November 19, 2010 and runs through April 17, 2011.

"In 1999, AT&T gave $1 million towards the reopening of the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom and the creation of new museum spaces, and it is so gratifying to work with them again as we expand our programming and our audiences," said Thora Colot, executive director of the Foundation. "Thanks to generous corporate and individual donors, we are able to fulfill our mission to help more people discover the power of primary sources and the original documents held in trust for the American people by the National Archives."

About the Foundation for the National Archives

The Foundation for the National Archives is an independent nonprofit that serves as the National Archives' private-sector partner in the creation of and ongoing support of the National Archives Experience, which includes permanent exhibits, educational programs, traveling exhibits, special events and film screenings, educational literature, and historical/records-related products and media. The Foundation helps the public understand the importance of the holdings of the National Archives by presenting the depth and diversity of the records through award-winning, interactive educational exhibits and programs. It generates financial and creative support for the National Archives Experience from individuals, foundations, and corporations who share a belief in the importance of innovative civics education.

About the National Archives Experience

The National Archives Experience, created by the National Archives in partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives, has transformed the visitor experience at the National Archives' Washington, DC building, and includes a renovated Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, the award-winning Public Vaults permanent interactive exhibition, the William G. McGowan Theater, the Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery for special exhibits, the Boeing Learning Center, and the Digital Vaults online exhibit. These components make the rich resources of the National Archives accessible to Americans nationwide.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T and the AT&T Foundation are committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, and address community needs. The AT&T Foundation celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2009. More than $160 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs in 2008 alone.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE^® magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

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SOURCE Foundation for the National Archives