Simone Lawson
The original copy of the US Constitution is currently kept in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. The document is displayed in an ornate room called the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Interestingly, when the Constitution was first written, the founding fathers paid little attention to the original copy, and it was only later discovered by a historian in a box in a closet. Since then, the document has undergone several preservation efforts to keep it safe and legible, including re-encasing it in modern encasements with controlled humidity and argon gas. The National Archives Museum is open to the public, allowing visitors to view the original Constitution firsthand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | National Archives Building in Washington, DC |
| Display Room | The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom |
| Preservation | Sealed between two glass plates with special light filters, inert gas, and controlled humidity |
| Public Access | Yes, tickets can be purchased to see the document |
| History | Found in a box in a closet in the State, War, and Navy Building by historian J. Franklin Jameson in 1883 |
| Original Copies | Not given much thought initially, with little attention paid to the original copy |
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What You'll Learn
- The original copy is stored in the National Archives Building, Washington, DC
- The document was found in 1883 by historian J. Franklin Jameson
- Preservation efforts began in 1924 to protect the original
- The Constitution is displayed alongside the Declaration of Independence
- The Rotunda was designed as a shrine to American democracy
The original copy is stored in the National Archives Building, Washington, DC
The original copy of the US Constitution is stored in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. The National Archives Museum is open to the public, allowing anyone who purchases a ticket to see the document firsthand. The room that displays the Constitution is called the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. The Charters of Freedom are the three documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, which are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States.
The road to the current display of the Constitution has been a long one. When the US Constitution was first written, the original copies were not given much thought. It was only in 1883 that a historian, J. Franklin Jameson, found the original in a box in a closet in the State, War, and Navy Building. In 1894, the document was sealed between two glass plates and stored in a safe. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated a public display of the Constitution at the Library of Congress, where it was protected from moisture and light. During World War II, the Constitution was moved to the United States Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, for safekeeping.
In 1951, a study was conducted to examine the way the Constitution was stored, and it was re-encased in glass with improved preservation methods. The document was then moved to the National Archives in 1952. In 2003, the Constitution was moved to more modern encasements, with better humidity control and the use of argon gas. These modern encasements have helped fix many of the issues of the previous cases, including the flaking of the original ink.
The National Archives Store offers full-size facsimiles of the Constitution, reproduced on parchment writing paper that has been through an aging process, giving each document a unique appearance. These facsimiles are perfect for educational purposes or for those interested in the history of the nation.
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The document was found in 1883 by historian J. Franklin Jameson
The original copy of the US Constitution is currently kept in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. The room that displays these documents is called the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. The National Archives Museum is open to the public, and anyone who purchases a ticket can see these documents firsthand.
Ironically, when the US Constitution was first written, the original copies were not given much thought. In fact, it was only in 1883 that a historian, J. Franklin Jameson, found the original document in a box in a closet in the State, War, and Navy Building.
The founding fathers had little interest in the original piece of parchment. As a new frame of government, many copies were sent to states and made for politicians to examine at their leisure. The Constitution was written to endure, but very little attention was paid to the original copy.
After its discovery by J. Franklin Jameson in 1883, the original Constitution underwent various preservation efforts to keep the document safe and legible. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated a public display of the Constitution at the Library of Congress. The document was protected against moisture by special absorbent cellulose paper and carefully sealed between two panes of insulated plate glass. A gelatin film was also used to protect the document from light.
In 1941, during World War II, the Constitution was moved to the United States Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, for safekeeping. It remained there until September 1944. In 1951, a study was conducted by the National Bureau of Standards to examine the way the Constitution was stored, and it was subsequently re-encased in glass.
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Preservation efforts began in 1924 to protect the original
Preservation efforts to protect the original copy of the US Constitution began in 1924, when President Calvin Coolidge dedicated a public display of the document at the Library of Congress. At this time, the Constitution was sealed between two panes of insulated plate glass, with special absorbent cellulose paper protecting it against moisture, and a gelatin film shielding it from light damage.
This marked a significant shift in attitude towards the original copy of the Constitution. When the document first went into effect, the founding fathers showed little interest in its preservation, and it was only in 1883 that a historian, J. Franklin Jameson, discovered the original in a box in a closet in the State, War, and Navy Building.
The preservation efforts of the 1920s built upon earlier conservation movements in the United States, which had gained momentum during the Progressive Era under President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt's administration addressed environmental conservation, reclamation of neglected land, and the preservation of natural resources for future generations. This broader movement influenced the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916 and laid the groundwork for the recognition of historic preservation as a critical aspect of national identity.
The discovery and subsequent preservation of the Constitution in the 1920s ensured its survival for future generations. However, further conservation work was required over the years to maintain the document's integrity. In 1941, during World War II, the Constitution was relocated to the United States Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, for safekeeping. A decade later, in 1951, the National Bureau of Standards conducted a study on its storage conditions, leading to re-encasing the document with enhanced light filters, inert gas, and improved humidity control.
In 2003, the Constitution was transferred to even more modern encasements, addressing issues with previous preservation methods. The latest encasements feature a gap between the document and the top layer of glass, with humidity maintained at an optimal range of 25% to 35%. Argon gas replaced helium in the new cases, further enhancing preservation efforts. Today, the original copy of the Constitution is safely preserved and displayed in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, where millions of visitors can view it each year.
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The Constitution is displayed alongside the Declaration of Independence
The original copy of the US Constitution is currently on display at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. The document is stored alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights in a room called the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. The Charters of Freedom are three documents that have secured the rights of the American people for over two centuries and are considered fundamental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the nation was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It also made promises about fundamental liberties, which later became legally enforceable through the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government. Together, these documents represent the liberty and equality that are fundamental to American democracy.
The road to preserving and displaying the original Constitution has been a long one. When the US Constitution was first written, the original copies were not given much thought and were only later discovered. In 1883, a historian named J. Franklin Jameson found the original Constitution in a box in a closet in the State, War, and Navy Building. In 1894, it was sealed between two glass plates and stored in a safe. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge presented the Constitution to the public at the Library of Congress, where it was protected from moisture and light. During World War II, the document was moved to the United States Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, for safekeeping.
In 1951, the National Bureau of Standards conducted a study on the preservation of the Constitution, leading to its re-encasement in glass with improved preservation techniques. The document was then moved to the National Archives in 1952. In 2003, the Constitution was transferred to modern encasements, addressing issues with previous displays. Today, the document is displayed with controlled humidity and argon gas, attracting millions of visitors each year.
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The Rotunda was designed as a shrine to American democracy
The Rotunda, located in the United States Capitol building, has been described as the "heart of American democracy". It was built between 1818 and 1824 under the direction of Charles Bulfinch, the third Architect of the Capitol. The idea of a central rotunda was conceived by Dr. William Thornton, who won the competition for the design of the Capitol in 1793.
The Rotunda is a large, circular room that rises 48 feet (15 m) to the top of its original walls and 180 feet 3 inches (54.94 m) to the canopy of the dome. It is a showcase of art, history, and architecture, featuring numerous historical paintings and sculptures that celebrate American democracy and history. The room includes statues of important figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, as well as paintings depicting scenes from American history.
The Rotunda is also a functional space, used for ceremonial and public events authorized by both houses of Congress. It has been the site of lying in state for honoured individuals, including President John F. Kennedy, and has hosted medal presentations and presidential inaugurations. These events have solidified the Rotunda's role as a shrine to American democracy, honouring the nation's greatest figures and celebrating its significant moments.
The Rotunda has undergone restoration and preservation efforts to maintain its structural integrity and historical accuracy. The original copy of the Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, is now displayed in the National Archives Museum, which is open to the public. The Rotunda continues to be a symbol of American democracy, honouring the nation's history and serving as a gathering place for important ceremonies and events.
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Frequently asked questions
The original copy of the US Constitution is on display at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
Yes, the US Constitution on display at the National Archives Building is the original copy.
The US Constitution was first put on public display at the Library of Congress in 1924.
The US Constitution is on display because it is considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States.
The US Constitution is displayed alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
