Jonah Patel
The original US Constitution is housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. The National Archives is a museum and records administration that preserves, protects, and shares historical federal records of the United States. The museum is open to the public every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, with free admission. The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is another museum dedicated to the US Constitution, featuring interactive exhibits, artifacts, and live performances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | The National Archives Museum, Washington, D.C. |
| Documents | The original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights |
| Building | Located on Constitution Avenue NW, between 7th and 9th Streets, just north of the National Mall |
| Opening Hours | Open every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Admission | Free entry, timed entry tickets available for a $1 convenience fee |
| Website | recreation.gov, archives.gov |
| Features | Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, David M. Rubenstein Gallery, William G. McGowan Theater |
| Other Information | Service animals allowed, non-flash photography allowed, limited wheelchairs available |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution is housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, DC
- The National Constitution Center is dedicated to the US Constitution
- The US Constitution was inscribed by Jacob Shallus
- The US Constitution is one of the three most important documents in American history
- The National Archives Museum is free to visit
The US Constitution is housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, DC
The original US Constitution is housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, DC. The National Archives & Records Administration Building is located on Constitution Avenue NW, between 7th and 9th Streets, just north of the National Mall. The Rotunda is a semicircular room that houses three of the most important documents in American history: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These documents are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom.
The National Archives is home to billions of historical federal records of the United States. The building is open to the public every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, with hours from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Admission is free, although there is a dollar fee for reserving a self-guided timed ticket. The closest Metro stop is Archives – Navy Memorial – Penn Quarter, which is served by the Green and Yellow lines.
The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is the most popular part of the National Archives, and for good reason. In addition to the three foundational documents of American democracy, the exhibition surrounding the charters highlights the creation and continuing significance of each document. The David M. Rubenstein Gallery, located in the National Archives Building, is home to Records of Rights, which features numerous Archives documents and a 17-foot touchscreen that summarizes American debates around essential issues such as citizenship, voting rights, equal opportunity, and free speech.
The National Archives Museum also features the William G. McGowan Theater, a 290-seat venue that hosts documentary films and forum discussions. The museum offers a variety of programs to deepen visitors' experiences, including author lectures and family days. The museum encourages non-flash photography in all public areas. Service animals are allowed but must be under the control of their handlers at all times. A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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The National Constitution Center is dedicated to the US Constitution
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit institution devoted to the study of the Constitution of the United States. It is located at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is the first and only museum dedicated to the US Constitution. The center is an interactive museum and national town hall, hosting government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities who engage in public discussions, including Constitution-related events and presidential debates. The center offers civic learning resources onsite and online, but it does not house the original Constitution, which is stored at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.
The National Constitution Center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act, which was approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan. The act defined the center as a place to disseminate information about the US Constitution in a non-partisan manner to increase awareness and understanding among Americans. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on the 213th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, and the center opened on July 4, 2003.
The center is made of American products, including Indiana limestone, steel, and concrete. It is 160,000 square feet and explores the US Constitution through high-tech exhibits, rare artifacts, interactive galleries, and live programming. Visitors can view exhibits and artifacts, take in the 360-degree live theatrical production Freedom Rising, and walk among 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers in Signers' Hall. The center also offers educational videos, podcasts, blog posts, and historical documents for those who wish to engage in deep thinking and analysis of the Constitution and America's founding principles.
The National Constitution Center has become a cultural hub in Philadelphia, attracting a million visitors a year and hosting blockbuster exhibitions and intellectual gatherings. It has also hosted significant events such as the 2024 Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and is home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, an annual award recognising individuals who strive to secure liberty around the globe.
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The US Constitution was inscribed by Jacob Shallus
The US Constitution, one of the most important documents in the country's history, was inscribed by Jacob Shallus, a 37-year-old assistant clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Shallus was born in 1750 to German immigrant parents who had settled in Pennsylvania in 1747 or 1749. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a quartermaster in the First Pennsylvania Battalion and later became a deputy commissary general for Pennsylvania. He was also a merchant and a gentleman in Philadelphia, and he sold his business to enlist in the army.
Shallus was a skilled calligrapher and experienced in engrossing official documents. On September 15, 1787, near the end of the Constitutional Convention, the delegates approved the final draft of the Constitution and selected Shallus to transcribe the document. Shallus used a goose quill and black ink made of iron filings in oak gall, which later turned brownish. He wrote over 25,000 letters in nearly 4,500 words, completing the task in a day. The original copy of the Constitution, inscribed by Shallus, is on display in the Rotunda of the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.
Shallus' name does not appear on the document itself, but his identity as the transcriber was revealed in 1937 during the 150th-anniversary celebrations of the Constitution. The transcription was an important task, and Shallus played a significant role in ensuring the accuracy and legibility of the final document. His contribution to the creation of the US Constitution is often overlooked, but it was crucial in preserving the nation's founding principles for future generations.
The National Archives Museum, where the original Constitution is housed, offers a unique opportunity to view this historic document. Visitors can see the intricate handwriting and spelling and punctuation of the time. The document is carefully preserved and displayed, providing a glimpse into the past and the foundations of American democracy. The museum also showcases other significant records and exhibits that highlight important events in American history, such as interactive exhibits on the "Treasures of the Vault."
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The US Constitution is one of the three most important documents in American history
The National Archives & Records Administration Building is located on Constitution Avenue, between 7th and 9th Streets, just north of the National Mall. The building is open to the public every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, with free admission. Visitors can explore the Rotunda and surrounding galleries, including the Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery and the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, which feature exhibits on the creation and significance of the Charters of Freedom. The museum also offers educational programs and events, such as author lectures and family days, providing a deeper understanding of American history and the Constitution.
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is another museum dedicated to the US Constitution. Through interactive exhibits, artefacts, and live theatre, the museum brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages. One of its notable exhibits includes 42 life-sized bronze statues of the Founding Fathers, recreating the moment of the signing of the Constitution. The centre also provides educational resources, such as videos, podcasts, and historical documents, for those interested in delving deeper into America's founding principles and the Constitution.
The US Constitution's journey began in 1787, when the Congress under the Articles of Confederation met in Federal Hall in New York while the Constitution was being written in Philadelphia. The First Congress, including George Washington, met in this hall from 1789 to 1790. Federal Hall was demolished in 1812, and the current building serves as the U.S. Customs House. The Constitution was also influenced by events at Mount Vernon, where representatives from Maryland and Virginia met in 1785 to discuss navigation rights on the Potomac River, setting the stage for the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
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The National Archives Museum is free to visit
The National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is free to visit. It is home to the Founding Documents, also known as the Charters of Freedom, which establish the principles of the United States. The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last admission 30 minutes prior to closing. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The National Archives Museum is located in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building. Visitors can explore the exhibits, which include the Declaration of Independence and records of ordinary Americans, tracing the story of the nation, government, and its people. The museum offers both self-guided and guided group tours, with audio and exhibits highlighting significant historical events.
The National Archives is an independent federal agency that preserves and shares public records. It carries out its mission through archives, records centres, and presidential libraries across the nation and online. The museum provides educational programmes, lectures, and family days to deepen visitors' experiences.
While entry to the museum is free, there is a $1 reservation fee for timed-entry tickets to avoid long lines. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance, especially during peak seasons from March to Labor Day. The museum has security measures, including metal detectors, and guidelines regarding photography and prohibited items.
The National Constitution Center, located near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, is another museum dedicated to the US Constitution. It offers interactive exhibits, rare artefacts, and live theatre performances to bring the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
The original US Constitution is on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Yes, the Rotunda and the following galleries of the National Archives Building are open for viewing. The museum is open every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.
The National Archives Museum is home to the Charters of Freedom, which includes the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is the first and only museum dedicated to the US Constitution. The museum features interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and live theater.
