Edmonston has the best salvage building materials at Community Forklift, the most amazing posole at…read moreTacqueria Tres Reyes, and mouth-watering Chile Rellenos at La Sirenita. Also Village Thrift. And I barely know the place!

Knowing history gives us a sense of perspective. If you think you have it tough, read history…read morebooks. We'd obtained the necessary advance tickets when I was last there in 2013 for further family research. I've done virtual visits there since then. This College Park, Maryland location is Archives II, which is solely a research facility. Archive I is in Washington, DC, which I'd previously reviewed at https://www.yelp.com/biz/national-archives-and-records-administration-washington. I have no complaints. The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent Federal agency of the United States government within the Executive Branch. It's charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. Employees here certainly try to be helpful. Be aware that there are "millions of records, documents, photographs, maps, decrees, charters, videos" so impossible for employees to be an expert on all of them. So, do as much research before visiting so you have something to help you to find what you're looking for. If you are a History Addict such as myself, resist the temptation to read all that cool history that passes before your eyes here or you will never find out what you specifically came to find. The security procedures are different at each National Archives location based on many factors, including function and size of the facility, and are subject to change without notice. Rules can even change from floor to floor and employee to employee. Resistance is futile. When entering National Archives facilities, you must provide valid photographic identification and are subject to inspection upon entering, anytime while there and exiting. Just like at most IRS building, your id may be scanned as you travel from floor to floor. You are very limited on what you can bring in with you, Weapons are prohibited. There are a lot of security guards. If you have a heart pacemaker or other medical device that might be disrupted by the magnetometer (or give a false reading), ask to be screened with a hand-held wand. Surgical implants set off the security machines. If you have surgical implants, bring documentation of them from your doctor with you. On-site parking is limited. Any papers you are allowed to bring in are required to be first approved and then stamped / Permitted. Phones, their cases, and computers cases are prohibited. Computers require a previously obtained Permit. Recommend putting your stuff in clear plastic bags. Large or bulky clothes, hats, even some boots, prohibited due to previous thefts, hence why some requests come back as "unavailable". Has a cafeteria on the ground floor. Has specific times you can make a request to "Pull" an item. Be prepared that it can take a while to fulfill your request, it may be fulfilled damaged, and that it may not even be fulfilled due to previous thefts. There is a cost to get copies of anything. On this day in history 31 December: 1775 - George Washington ordered his recruiters to accept Blacks into the Army. Standing shoulder to shoulder, an ethnically diverse soldiery formed. From free and enslaved Blacks, to Native Americans, native born colonists, to foreign recruits, to women, Washington's integrated Army was a diverse fighting force for the long and grueling eight-year war. One of the most famous units was the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The Rhode Island Assembly decreed on 14 February 1778, to allow, "every slave, so enlisting, shall upon his passing muster before Col. Christopher Greene, be immediately discharged from the service of his master or mistress; and be absolutely FREE, as though he had never been encumbered with any Kind of Servitude or Slavery." The integrated Army in the American War For Independence was shamefully the last integrated American military until 26 July 1948 (WWII ended 2 September 1945), when President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order banning segregation in the US Armed Forces. For it is essential that there be maintained in the Armed Services of the United States the highest standards of democracy, with equality of treatment and opportunity for all those who Serve in our country's defense. During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt had responded to complaints about discrimination at home against African Americans by issuing Executive Order 8802 in June 1941. It directed that Black Americans be accepted into job-training programs in defense plants, forbid discrimination by defense contractors and established a Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) to enforce the policy. Truman had previously appointed the first African-American judge to the Federal bench, and named several other African-Americans to high-ranking administration positions.

Today was my first day ever at NARA II. I felt like a fish out of water--every archive is…read moredifferent. But the staff were so friendly (and patient!). I managed to get through quite a few boxes. But I will return tomorrow. FYI: There is a shuttle that goes from NARA I and NARA II (and vice versa). It arrives at NARA II every hour and leave five minutes past; it's really useful for everyone, but particularly students who are on research trips on a budget.

Tremendous improvement following the renovation. Bright and spacious setting encourage reading,…read morelearning and study time. There are sections for children, teens, and adults, so you can learn and study with others like you. There are still issues with some folks being loud, but they offer several study rooms where you can escape that. They don't seem to have as much variety in the adult non-fiction section as I'd like, but I appreciate the fact that you can request and reserve books from other branches. I've done that several times now - very quick and easy. Truthfully, this branch is much nicer and cleaner than most others in the county, and I anticipate it getting even better as they continue to bulk up their book selections.

This is an excellent library. It's very spacious, well-lit, and has many computer terminals to use…read more There is a huge amount of space dedicated to children's education and reading material. It also has displays that give some basic information about slavery in the United States and the struggle for abolition.

I love my library! The librarians are helpful and nice. The used bookstore on the first level is…read moreinexpensive. I've bought lots of great stuff there. You can use computers. The collection is good, and they'll reserve you anything in the system or inter library loan. In the Summer, the downstairs a/c doesn't work well, so dress accordingly!!!

My son lost his cell phone at the Clarendon station. Shortly after losing it, a cell phone…read morematching the description of his phone was turned in to the station, it was logged in by the Clarendon metro staff, and sent to their lost and found department. When my son went to the station to see if anyone turned it in he was told about the phone being turned in but that all he could do at this point was fill out a claim form and wait 2-5 business days while they processed his claim. Been over a week now and no news. When I call the lost and found I keep getting told to wait, nothing else I can do. I have told them I have the number Clarendon used to log the phone and send it to lost and found, but apparently they can't search for it that way. Hmmm... can't imagine what has happened to my son's new iPhone??? Personnel at Lost and Found are of NO help whatsoever.

Only post office I go to last 15 years I drive pass several. Shannon is a literal Godsend has took…read morecare of me for years and I mail a lot for my art business God bless her

I'm a fan because this post office is straight down the road from my workplace. There is almost no…read morewait time at 3:00 on a weekday, unlike the Silver Spring location near my home. It is pretty old, and small; no lobby and no do-it yourself kiosk, which I love for mailing packages. There were only two people in front of me, but the solo postal worker was fast, and efficient. Also, she was very cheery, and greeted everyone with a pleasant Hello. I just needed a few Global stamps to mail to relatives abroad, otherwise I would have bought my stamps through the mail. At $1.15 each, I really didn't want more than I needed. I will be back here again. I just need to stay out of the Dollar Tree a few doors down.

Great new renovation to this branch. So glad this neighborhood was the recipient of investment like…read morethis. Cute little branch. Friendly staff. (I think, bilingual?) Spanking new building. They went hard on the nautical theme inside. literally, I think this building is sea-worthy. I'd love to see more self-guided activities to do for the kiddies. Take the space devoted to the sort of odd fake dock and put something there for littles to explore that's a bit more interesting. For parents of young kids, libraries can be a lifeline for just getting out of the house.

Awesome architecture and design for a new community centered facility! And the artwork! - the 12…read morefoot high glass mural is breathtaking!!