Series: 1. Personal and Biographical Records, 1972-2014
Scope and Content Note: This series contains a short biography, curriculum vita, an extended statement of "Reflections on a Career in Archives and Historical Programs Administration, with References to Writings and Publications," a listing of all writings and publications written by Hackman. It also includes a list of selected distinguished archivists who served on Hackman's staff, as well as copies of various awards and other recognition. A 2014 oral history transcript is also included in this series.

Personal and Biographical Records, 1972-2014

Series: 2. Professional Correspondence, 1970-1995
Scope and Content Note: Miscellaneous professional correspondence, primarily with other archivists or related to archival subjects. One folder contains correspondence with Robert Warner, the sixth Archivist of the United States, a friend and professional colleague.

Professional Correspondence, 1970-1995

Series: 3. Documentation Strategies, 1983-2009
Scope and Content Note

This series begins with notes and drawings which reflect Hackman's earliest ideas on documentation strategies, followed by writings and presentations on the subject. The development of his ideas are indicated in folders on presentations, especially the presentations that Helen Samuels and he made at the SAA Annual Meeting in September 1984, the presentation to Bentley Mellon Fellows in the summer of 1985, and the presentation at the NAGARA annual meeting in July 1986. There are several folders on his participation with documentation initiatives and his research and drafts for his 2009 article in the American Archivist titled "The Origins of Documentation Strategies in Context: Recollections and Reflections."

An additional folder on the evolution of this article is in series 5; there are also folders on some other writings and presentations on documentation issues during this period. Throughout this period there are many exchanges of views on documentation with Helen Samuels. There are also several folders on Hackman's participation with committees and working groups on documentation initiatives.

Documentation Strategies, 1983-2009

Series: 4. Professional Association Activities, 1970-2007
Scope and Content Note

These wide-ranging files begin with several folders on Hackman's activities, presentations, and writings on oral history for the Oral History Association, leading up to his participation in the SAA’s Oral History Committee during 1972-1973. There are also folders on several SAA Annual Meetings: by 1975 he was a member of the SAA’s annual meeting program committee, the first of four he served on. In addition, there are folders on his presentations at several SAA workshops, on other sessions or meetings he chaired or arranged or presented, on his participation in several SAA committees and professional affiliation groups, and a variety of other activities.

There is also material on the SAA 1986 China Tour, during which he was one of the several members of the delegation who often made presentations to Chinese archives groups; files when he was nominated as a candidate for SAA Council and then SAA President. Lastly, in this box are his files as chair of the Program Committee for the May 1980 MARAC meeting in Washington, and files from presentations he made for SAA and other organizations on fund-raising and legislative advocacy.

Professional Association Activities, 1970-2007

Series: 5. Publications and Writings, 1972-2018
Scope and Content Note

These folders document Hackman's preparation of articles for publication. They are mostly concerned with broad archival policy matters and other issues of profession-wide importance. Many of the articles appeared in the American Archivist, The Public Historian, and JANUS. There are also folders on book chapters, technical leaflets and magazine articles, e.g. State Government News, Empire State Report, which he authored, and folders on some presentations that did not result in a publication.

Some of the publication files contain drafts of presentations, especially keynote, plenary, and core sessions papers delivered at professional meetings, including the Society of American Archivists Annual Meetings. Folders often contain correspondence, feedback from other archivists, background materials, and working drafts.

These boxes do not include the more extensive files relating to preparation of his book Many Happy Returns, which is included in series six. Files on the special issue of the Public Historian, which he edited, reside at the Truman Library. The files on his publication concerning the partnership between the Harry S. Truman Library and the Truman Library Institute for National and International Affairs, are at the Truman Library (See Related Archive Materials).

Publications and Writings, 1972-1989

Publications and Writings, 1990-2018

Series: 6. Many Happy Returns: Advocacy in the Development of Archives, 1972-2012
Scope and Content Note: The files here include Hackman’s rough initial ideas for such a publication, reactions and suggestions he sought from other archivists, drafts of Hackman's proposal in response to the SAA's RFP which had called for a publication on advocacy and outreach, and other issues prior to formally beginning work on the publication itself. Also there are exchanges with the chair of the SAA's Publications Board throughout the proposal and publications process, folders documenting Hackman's many interactions through extensive reviews, recommendations and revisions with individual authors of proposed case studies and essays, including with several authors whose drafts were ultimately not accepted or who decided to withdraw. Additionally, there are the reactions and recommendations by the two readers selected by SAA to review the initial draft of the publication, reviews of the publication in archival journals in the United States and several other countries, reactions to the publication by several participants, and outlines for Hackman's presentations after publication.

Development of and Reaction to the SAA's 2011 Publication, "Many Happy Returns: Advocacy in the Development of Archives," 1972-2012

Series: 7. Influencing Archival Issues at the National Level: Advocacy, Appointments, Policy, Resources, 1980-2009, bulk 1992-1995
Scope and Content Note: These folders document a range of activities including advocacy relating to NHPRC funding; his proposed national historical records policy for the United States; the policies, priorities, and performance of the National Archives and Records Administration; selections of Archivists of the United States; intergovernmental archives and records issues; and other national level issues. Researchers might find the files especially revealing regarding: the development of a campaign for the survival of NHPRC funding in 1981; the George H.W. Bush to Clinton transition during 1992-1993, including policy recommendations via contacts with key Congressional offices and staff and with the Clinton Transition and appointments office to obtain early appointment of an experienced high-level person to be appointed Archivist of the United States; and the long and difficult process to obtain appointment of a new Archivist of the United States following the resignation of Don Wilson. Files here on the appointment extend to 1995 when John Carlin was finally appointed. The files offer a good illustration of the ways in which policy interests in a better, stronger National Archives interact of necessity with political considerations and relationships. The documents here include correspondence with other archivists and historians. There is also a folder on support by archivists and others for Hackman to be appointed Archivist of the United States, contacts with White House staff on this appointment, and related matters.

Influencing Archival Issues at the National Level: Advocacy, Appointments, Policy, Politics Resources, 1992-1995, bulk 1980-2009

Series: 8. New York State Archives Publications, 1981-1995
Scope and Content Note: The materials in this series illustrate through a wide range of studies and reports, promotional and educational materials, and other publications how the New York State Archives was able to develop rapidly from a relatively new and small state archives to a program that received the SAA’s Distinguished Service Award and other SAA awards and the election of more new SAA Fellows from its staff than any other archives during this period. The analyses, agendas, strategies, and engagement with the archives and records communities, governmental leaders and the public indicated in these publications suggest some of the ways the State Archives was able to grow in size, performance, and prominence as it pursued an ambitious agenda for state and local government records and for statewide archival program development. Overall, the documents here show why the New York State Archives came to be considered an example to emulate by other government archives in the United States and beyond, including for assessment and agenda-setting, education and outreach, quality promotional materials, advocacy for legislation and resources, engagement with the archives and records community statewide, and for building a very strong professional archives staff highly active in the SAA and other associations. Among the files here are some examples of coverage of the New York State Archives in magazines and newspapers.

New York State Archives Publications, 1981-1995