40,000 Research Visit Milestone Reached

Samantha Kenner - Mon 03:54 PM 09/10/2012

Pictured L to R: Director Karl Weissenbach, Archivist Mary Burtzloff, Major Ordonio, Major Neal, Deputy Director Tim Rives

After a record-setting year last year with 800 researchers in one year, the Eisenhower Presidential Library hits another milestone in the research room. Anticipating the 40,000th research visitor today, Director Karl Weissenbach was prepared to present this lucky person with a complimentary copy of "At Ease: Stories I Tell To Friends" written by Dwight Eisenhower. Turns out there was a tie.

Two students from the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at Ft. Leavenworth arrived at the same time this morning and were both presented a copy of Eisenhower's book. Major John Ordonio and Major John Neal were honored to receive the recognition.

"Reaching this milestone demonstrates why the Eisenhower Presidential Library is a premier, world-class research institution located in the heart of Kansas. I believe these researchers have a far better understanding of the life and times of President Eisenhower and his numerous accomplishments by visiting this Presidential Library in his hometown of Abilene," states Weissenbach.

Researchers have come from all around the globe including New Zealand, Italy, China and more to conduct their studies at the Eisenhower Library. Projects include everything from authors working on books to graduate students writing their thesis to the general public looking at war records. The Library has hosted well over 11K researchers. Researchers often spend several days and make multiple trips while working on their topic. Each day counts as a research visit.

Myrl K. Bailey, an Oklahoma State University graduate student, was the Library's first researcher in April 1966. Bailey's research focused on the 1956 Suez Canal crisis. Major Ordonio is studying Moselle River crossing operations in Sept. 1944 while Neal is studying U.S./French coalition operations Aug. 1944 through Jan. 1945.

"There is always something new to uncover in the holdings of the archives. The story is never really quite finished as papers are constantly being reviewed and new collections opened for research," adds Weissenbach.

The research room is open Monday through Friday from 9:15 a.m. to noon and 12:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (with no materials being pulled after 4:00 p.m.) and closed on all Federal holidays. All researchers, including the media, must have a valid researcher card prior to gaining access to the records. Researcher cards may be obtained with a completed application form and valid photo ID. To ensure you have a positive research experience, we suggest you contact a staff archivist at 785.263.6700 before you visit the research room.

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