Obama Library Unveils Digital Artifact Collection

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL

Today, the Barack Obama Presidential Library launched its digital artifact collection, offering unparalleled access to items from the Obama presidency. This innovative platform, available at www.obamalibrary.gov, marks a significant milestone in preserving and sharing U.S. presidential history. The Obama Library collection showcases a wide range of artifacts, including: 

• Gifts received by the office of President Obama and the First Family. 
• Technology used by President Obama including his Blackberry, Apple iPad Air 2, and GoPro camera. 
• Gowns from renowned designers worn by First Lady Michelle Obama. 
• Pre-presidential materials from Barack Obama's political career. 

"The release of this digital artifact collection marks an exciting new chapter in presidential libraries," said Barack Obama Presidential Library Director Dr. Kenvi Phillips. "As the first fully digital presidential library, we're setting a new standard for how technology can preserve and share our nation's history." 

The journey of these artifacts from the White House Gift Unit to the digital realm involved a complex years-long process managed by the White House Gift Unit during the administration and then by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) post-presidency. This process included: 

• Review and screening of all incoming presidential gifts when the Obama administration originally received them. 
• Detailed gift documentation and valuation by the White House Gift Unit. 
• Complete physical transfer of presidential gifts to the NARA custody upon the end of the Obama administration.

Since January 20, 2017, NARA staff have been dedicated to the extensive work of relocating, storing, processing, inventorying, cataloging, and photographing the collection, all to make the holdings available online to the American people. 

The digital artifact collection also supports the artifacts loan program to external museums, educational institutions, and other presidential libraries, further expanding public access to the important records of our nation's history. 

All Americans are invited to discover and interact with a diverse array of historical items chronicling the presidency of Barack Obama, now accessible at www.obamalibrary.gov. 

The Barack Obama Presidential Library is one of 15 libraries in the Presidential Library system operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, representing Herbert Hoover through Donald J. Trump. Presidential Libraries and Museums are repositories for each administration’s papers and records and preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire. 

For media inquiries, please contact: Susan VanBoening, public affairs specialist, via email at susan.vanboening@nara.gov.