The Library of Congress, known as the keeper of American memory, holds a treasure trove of over 178 million books, manuscripts, recordings, maps, photographs, and moving images. Among its vast collection is a two-minute trace of “The Callahans and the Murphys,” a piece of American history preserved for future generations.
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the outskirts of Culpeper, Va., is the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center. Originally built by the federal government in the late 1960s as a secure storehouse for cash in the event of nuclear war, the facility was eventually transferred to the Library of Congress and expanded to house nearly 90 miles of shelving.
Inside the mountain, there are four million scripts, posters, photos, sound recordings, and moving-image items meticulously preserved. The vaults house about 140,000 cans of nitrate films, with temperatures kept at a precise 39 degrees to ensure their longevity.
The center’s assistant chief, Pierce, explained that the collection is not meant to be a comprehensive representation of American cinema, but rather a curated selection of significant films. Staff members can be seen handling, preserving, and curating film, from shipping prints to repairing fragile negatives.
The National Audio-Visual Conservation Center is a testament to the dedication and passion of those who work tirelessly to preserve America’s cinematic history for future generations to enjoy.
