#robert edsel

Miner's daughter with pet groundhog, 9/13/1946. Harlan County, KY. NARA ID 541297.

Happy #Groundhog Day? By Miriam Kleiman, who's not excited about 6+ weeks of winter.

Given the pandemic, everyday feels like "Groundhog Day." Challenge for NARA trivia fans: what's the connection between the National Archives and Groundhog Day star Bill Murray?

NARA & Bill Murray: 1 degree of separation! Murray stars in George Clooney's film The Monuments Men, based on the best-selling book by Robert Edsel that includes many of our records about the scholars and historians who donned Army uniforms to serve the Allies by rescuing, identifying, and trying to return precious artworks looted by Adolf Hitler.

Bill Murray and other 'The Monuments Men' cast members were invited to a movie screening at the White House and instructed where to stand for the meet-and-greet. But when President Obama walked into the room, Murray stayed put, saying 'they told me to stand here.'" 2/18/2014. NARA ID 178330597.

President Reagan marks Punxsutawney Phil's 100th, 3/5/1986. NARA ID 75854643.

Punxsutawney Phil Leads the "Great Resignation"! (circa 1909)

Weary of his prophecy duties, Punxsutawney Phil walks off the job. By cartoonist Clifford Berryman, Washington Evening Star, 2/2/1909. NARA ID 6010782.

See related:

National Archives Goes Underground Prologue story by NARA Historian Jessie Kratz

George Clooney and the National Archives: One degree of separation, Pieces of History

Monuments Men Records at the National Archives, Text Message story by Dr. Greg Bradsher and Dr. Sylvia Naylor

This week The Day Gig took Your Humble Narrator to Washington, D.C. for a couple of quick, eventful days. I found myself giving a short speech at the German Embassy...

...and hanging out with the likes of Robert Edsel, author of The Monuments Men...

(Courtesy of Monuments Men and Women Foundation / © David Trozzo, All Rights Reserved)

I also made it to Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of Babbitt...

...a remarkable new stage adaptation of the Sinclair Lewis novel, with Matthew Broderick in the title role.

Best of all, I got to hang out and chow down with my awesome nieces and their husbands...

For Taco Tuesday, I was taken downtown to Oyamel Cocina Mexicano, where I partook of...

Monuments Man Harry Ettlinger and author Robert Edsel visited the grave of Walter Huchthausen at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, Holland. in 2012. 

Huchthausen was a Monuments officer who was killed in action near Aachen, Germany. He is buried at the America Cemetery at Margraten, Holland. He died on April 2, 1945, less than a month before Germany’s unconditional surrender.

Fellow Monuments Man Capt. Walker K. Hancock wrote in a letter to his wife: “The buildings that he [Huchthausen] hoped, as a young architect, to build will never exist … but the few people who saw him at his job — friend and enemy — must think more of the human race because of him.”

As some of you may know, I received my bachelor’s degree in art history. I am super passionate about the subject and consider myself to be lucky because I was able to pursue my passion in college. So, I was absolutely thrilled when I saw that there a blockbuster movie coming out about art!  I have to confess, I saw the Monuments Men movie (say that ten times fast lol) twice in theaters. I thought it was amazing and it made me cry at several points. Naturally, I went to my local bookstore and picked up the book version.

This book was everything the movie was and more. One thing that I thought the author, Robert Edsel, did really well was discussing what was occurring on the military side of the war, while still illustrating what the Monuments Men were doing. Of course, stopping Hitler and the Nazis was the most important part of the war, and Edsel emphasizes that point. However, he does point out that art represents human spirit and culture, and it was important to save that for the future. Not only would it provide hope, but the art was a perfect foundation for rebuilding.

Edsel has a commanding writing style that captivates the reader. I can always tell a book is well written when I am nearly hypnotized by the story and lose track of how long I have been sitting and reading. I got so caught up in the story of these incredible men and women, that I nearly went over my lunch break on several occasions.

The best part about this book is that all the stories are real. All the people had enormous courage and drive. They represent the best of humanity, in my opinion. I teared up and even started crying sometimes at the parts discussing all the art that had been both lost or recovered. It is an inspiring tale that an history or art lover should read.