National Film Registry

The National Film Registry is a list of films deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" that are earmarked for preservation by the Library of Congress. These films are not selected as the "best" American films of all time, but rather as works of enduring importance to American culture. They reflect who we are as a people and as a nation. The Librarian of Congress makes the annual selections to the Registry after reviewing hundreds of titles nominated by the public and conferring with Library film curators and the distinguished members of the National Film Preservation Board.

For more information on these titles, please visit Selections from the National Film Registry.

Collection Items

Collections

• Before and After the Great Earthquake and Fire: Early Films of San Francisco, 1897 to 1916
• Inside an American Factory: Films of the Westinghouse Works, 1904