GPO Celebrates 150 Years with Exhibit and History Book

  • Last Updated: December 31, 1969
  • Published: July 12, 2011

On June 23, 1860, President James Buchanan signed Joint Resolution 25, which created the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, GPO has opened an exhibit of that showcases the agency's 150-year history. Released in conjunction with the exhibit is Keeping America Informed: The U.S. Government Printing Office: 150 Years of Service to the Nation.

The Exhibit

GPO opened its doors for business on March 4, 1861, the same day as President Lincoln’s inauguration. Since then, GPO has produced countless historic publications for the Government, including the Emancipation Proclamation, as well as the vast range of documents that Americans have used for generations, such as passports, social security cards, census forms, and tax forms. The exhibit also depicts the technological transformation that has always been a part of GPO’s past and has always paved the way for future direction.

As part of the exhibit, GPO is displaying an original printed copy of the preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1862, GPO printed the preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation in general orders format issued as an order from President Lincoln in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. GPO printed 15,000 copies for the War Department, which were distributed to military commanders and their troops and diplomats in foreign countries. The displayed copy at GPO, on loan from the Library of Congress, contains a printer’s proofing marks; those corrections were made in the final version of the Emancipation Proclamation issued in 1863.

GPO encourages those that will be attending the Fall DLC Meeting in Washington, DC this fall to come visit the exhibit.

GPO would like to extend its gratitude to the depositories that donated publications and photographs to its exhibit. View images of some of the donated materials in the slideshow below. Moreover, GPO would like to thank all of the depositories for being part of its history. Your dedication and service to ensuring public access to Government information extends to the heart of GPO's mission.

Click on any image to view the photos in a slideshow.

{rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/timeline-viewer-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: A visitor views a timeline of GPO milestones. |}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/timeline-viewer.png{/rokbox} {rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/exhibit-goers-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: Two visitors having a discussion in front of a display about the printing process as others behind them enjoy another area of the exhibit.|}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/exhibit-goers.png{/rokbox}{rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/emaincipation-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: The original draft of the Emancipation Proclamation on display at GPO bears penciled-in corrections by, most likely, GPO proofreaders. |}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/emancipation.png{/rokbox} {rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/seuss-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: This Is Ann, She’s Dying To Meet You. Donated by Wells Library, Indiana University-Bloomington. |}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/seuss.png{/rokbox}
{rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/tools-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: Binder's knives, a spring divider, and other tools of the bookbinding trade are on displayed and some are still used at GPO today.|}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/tools.png{/rokbox}{rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/press-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: R. Hoe and Company Washington Hand Press, flat bed platen press used at up through the early 20th century.|}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/press.png{/rokbox} {rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/viewing-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: Visitors view donated Federal documents on display.|}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/viewing.png{/rokbox} {rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/book-display-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: Smoking and Health (GPO, 1964). Donated by Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville, Kentucky.|}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/book-display.png{/rokbox}
{rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/ipad-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: Technical transformation has always been a part of GPO's past and has always paved the way for the future.|}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/ipad.png{/rokbox}{rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/book-display2-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: A view of the variety of Federal documents printed by GPO and made available through the Federal Depository Library Program.|}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/book-display2.png{/rokbox} {rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/book-display1-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: Humble to Historic: GPO Was There. The multitude of humble documents displayed in the cases in this gallery show the range of Federal documents printed by GPO and distributed by The Federal Depository Library Program.|}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/book-display1.png{/rokbox} {rokbox |album=|celebrate |thumb=|/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/fdlpwall-tn.png|title=|GPO Celebrates 150 Years :: Images for this display were donated by Norlin Library, William Cuthbertson, and University of Central Florida Libraries, Robin Chan |}/images/stories/fdlpnews/general/150years/fdlpwall.png{/rokbox}

The Book

keep-am-informedKeeping America Informed: The U.S. Government Printing Office: 150 Years of Service to the Nation tells the story of GPO’s history through text and photographs, many never published before. Its authoritative text and unique images depict the enormous contribution of its employees, past and present, to the well-being of the American people and nation.

“The story of GPO is intertwined with the story of our Nation and I am excited to share it with the public. GPO has worked alongside Congress and Federal agencies for 150 years to create the record of our Nation’s Government,” said Public Printer Bill Boarman. “I am proud of the GPO employees who compiled the information and photographs, wrote the text, and designed the book. It is not only the story of our agency and its contribution to our national life, but a testament to GPO’s hardworking men and women.”

Keeping America Informed is distributed to Federal depository libraries in paper format under:

  • Title: Keeping America Informed: The U.S. Government Printing Office: 150 Years of Service to the Nation
  • Class: GP 1.2:IN 3/2
  • Item Number: 0556-C
  • Shipping List: 2011-0349-P
  • PURL: http://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo8534
  • CGP System Number: 000823623 (paper); 000823353 (online)

Keeping America Informed is also available for purchase from the GPO’s Online Bookstore.