Deborah Shapiro

What do you do?
I am a member of the Archives' reference team. I field questions about our collections as well as the occasional question that has nothing to do with our collections.
Favorite spot in DC to recommend:
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is monumental and overwhelming. I would recommend arriving well-rested and early in the day.
Collection favorites:
I was searching for another document in RU 7055, the Vail Telegraph Collection, when I came across an 1846 letter sent to Alfred Vail, developer of the telegraph. The writer requested 100 feet of copper wire to complete his “electro magnetic apparatus,” and included a pencil sketch of the device. Apparently he was hoping to deliver a “shock” to his “poor weakly mother, who is always complaining.”