Artifact Detective: Rite-Line Paper Holder

Please help us uncover some of the stories behind our objects. Leave a comment with anything you may know about the featured item. We welcome all information, and we’d appreciate sources and citations when possible. Thanks!

What we know:

This item belonged to Rita Trombly Manning when she worked for the FBI from the 1940s to 1970s.

We know Ms. Trombly worked as a stenographer, someone who takes notes in shorthand, in various departments, including the Records and Communications Division and the Crime Records Division.

A note included with the object says, “Device allows you to insert an already typed paper and add another line to it.”

Office supply: Rite-Line Copy Holder. 2011.12.6 Collection of the National Law Enforcement Museum, Washington, D.C.

What we want to know:

What is the primary purpose of this device?

How does this object work with a piece of paper?

What year was this item made and in what years was it used?

Was this an everyday office supply?

Was this a common office supply for law enforcement offices?

If you have any information about this object or own an object similar to this, leave us a comment!

Detroit Red Wings Host Law Enforcement Appreciation Night

On November 8, 2011 the Detroit Red Wings hosted their Second Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at the Joe Louis Arena, donating $10.00 from each ticket sold to the National Law Enforcement Museum. That night 1,863 tickets were sold, raising over $18,630 to help build the Museum. The Museum held a 50/50 raffle and auction which raised an additional $500 for the Museum, bringing the total raised to $19,130.

FLEOA National President Jon Adler
rides on the zamboni during intermission.

Before the game, there was a moment of silence and Amazing Grace was performed by The Metro Detroit Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, headed by Dearborn (MI) Police Department, Detective Sergeant (ret) Gary Marchetti.  National Colors were presented by the Michigan State FOP. 

Special thanks to John Shanks, Director of Development and Law Enforcement Relations, Jon Adler, FLEOA National President and Memorial Fund Board Member as well as Brent Clark, Law Enforcement Ambassador for helping with the event. In addition, the Museum would like to thank the Detroit Red Wings for honoring all of America’s law enforcement heroes and helping build the National Law Enforcement Museum.

Read more at:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/photos?gameId=400046956&photoId=1673156
http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=599695

National Law Enforcement Museum Co-hosts J. Edgar Premiere

Last night, the National Law Enforcement Museum co-hosted the Washington, DC premiere of Clint Eastwood's film, J. Edgar at the Newseum.

Mr. Eastwood, Honorary Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Museum and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund gathered alongside special guests and dignitaries to promote J. Edgar. The film examines the compelling life of the first FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover, portrayed by actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

“Law enforcement is a very underrated profession — so many have given so much. The dangers are always there and we’re thankful for the people who keep us safe. Embracing the idea of shooting a film about J. Edgar Hoover was quite an interesting project because he was such an interesting man and there’s always been a lot of discussion around him,” Mr. Eastwood said in his remarks before the premiere of the film.

In 2010, the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation donated over 5,000 items from Director Hoover's estate, including office desk, chair and telephone, presentation items, awards, photographs, correspondence, books, recordings of his speeches, and numerous other items that relate to his personal and professional life, including his tenure as director of the FBI from 1924 to 1972.

The National Law Enforcement Museum is the official repository of Mr. Hoover’s collection of personal effects, and select artifacts from the extensive collection were on display during the movie premiere. Guests were given a first-hand glimpse of such items as Director Hoover’s desk and desk accessories; original photographs from his childhood, as well as his years as FBI Director; and handwritten notes from his days as a law student at George Washington University.

The National Law Enforcement Museum will include the J. Edgar Hoover Research Center, made possible through a generous donation from the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation.

“Many Americans probably do not know that it was Mr. Hoover who required FBI agents to advise criminal suspects of their constitutional rights prior to arrest —15 years before the Supreme Court required Miranda warnings. He also instituted many other innovations including a centralized fingerprint file, forensics laboratories, a national compilation of crime statistics, and the FBI National Academy to increase effectiveness of state and local law enforcement,” Mr. Floyd stated as he addressed the audience before the film.

Read the full press release from the event at: http://www.nleomf.org/newsroom/news-releases/museum/the-national-law-enforcement-1.html
All photos from the event are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nleomf/sets/72157627966283637/