Jonah Patel
The US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights are collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom, and are housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, DC. The Charters of Freedom have been housed in the National Archives since 1952, and were previously under the control of the State Department. The Rotunda was designed by architect John Russell Pope as a shrine to American democracy, and features two murals by Barry Faulkner depicting fictional scenes of the presentations of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | National Archives, Washington, D.C. |
| Building Features | Ornate rotunda with a soaring domed ceiling, designed by architect John Russell Pope |
| Building Purpose | A shrine to American democracy |
| Security Features | Custom-built, 50-ton, steel and concrete, bomb-and fire-proof safe; fire-, shock-, water-, theft-, and bomb-proof vault |
| Display Features | Climate-controlled space with low lighting to prevent damage to the documents |
| Display Location | Upper level of the National Archives |
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What You'll Learn
- The Declaration of Independence and Constitution are kept in the National Archives
- The documents were moved to the National Archives in 1952
- The Rotunda in the National Archives is kept cold and dark to preserve the documents
- The Charters of Freedom are housed in a bomb- and fire-proof safe
- The Declaration of Independence was previously kept near a window, causing the ink to fade
The Declaration of Independence and Constitution are kept in the National Archives
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom. These documents are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain. The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, defining citizens' and states' rights in relation to the Government.
Before they were moved to the National Archives in 1952, these documents were controlled by the State Department. They were displayed at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876 and were then returned to Washington, DC, where they were displayed in a cabinet within the departmental library until 1894. The documents were removed because they were fading and remained in storage until 1920, when a committee was formed to advocate for their preservation and exhibition.
The National Archives Building’s exhibition hall was specifically designed to house these precious documents in a climate-controlled space. The Charters of Freedom traveled to the Archives in a procession of tanks in an armored personnel carrier and were placed in a custom-built, 50-ton, steel and concrete, bomb-and fire-proof safe. The Rotunda in the National Archives is kept cold and dark to prevent the light from causing the ink to fade and destroying the parchment and paper. The National Archives in Washington, D.C., is the only place where you can view these documents.
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The documents were moved to the National Archives in 1952
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom. These documents are housed in the rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The rotunda was designed by architect John Russell Pope as a shrine to American democracy, with a soaring domed ceiling and murals depicting the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt expressed his desire for the Charters of Freedom to be housed in the National Archives, which was nearing completion. However, the transfer was met with objections from the Librarian of Congress, Herbert Putnam, who argued that few people would visit the Archives building. Concerns were also raised about the lack of protection against fire or bomb attacks at the Library of Congress, and the lack of temperature controls, which caused damage to the parchments.
Finally, in 1952, the Librarian of Congress agreed that the Charters of Freedom should be moved to the National Archives, and on December 13, 1952, the documents were transported in an armoured personnel carrier and placed in a custom-built, 50-ton steel and concrete safe. The National Archives building was specifically designed to house the documents in a climate-controlled, secure environment, and it is now the permanent home of these important founding documents.
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The Rotunda in the National Archives is kept cold and dark to preserve the documents
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom. These documents are housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The Rotunda, designed by architect John Russell Pope, features a soaring domed ceiling and murals depicting the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The Charters of Freedom were moved to the National Archives in 1952. Prior to this, they were under the control of the State Department and were displayed at various locations, including the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876 and the State, War, and Navy Building in Washington, D.C. (now the Eisenhower Executive Office Building).
The Rotunda in the National Archives is kept cold and dark to preserve the fragile documents housed within. Light, especially sunlight, can cause the ink on the documents to fade and can destroy the parchment or paper over time. This was an issue when the Declaration of Independence was previously kept near a window in the Patent Office Building, where sunlight caused the ink to fade and become more difficult to read.
To further protect the documents, they are stored in a custom-built, 50-ton, steel and concrete, bomb-and fire-proof safe. This safe includes a specially designed elevator that allows the documents to be stored in a secure vault at night and then raised into their display cases during the day.
The National Archives is the only place where the public can view these important historical documents, and it has become one of the most popular places to visit in Washington, D.C.
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The Charters of Freedom are housed in a bomb- and fire-proof safe
The Charters of Freedom, comprising the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, are among the most important documents in American history. They are housed in a bomb- and fire-proof safe, within the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The National Archives building was designed to be a shrine to American democracy and is an ornate structure with a soaring domed ceiling. The Charters of Freedom are located in the Rotunda, which is kept cold and dark to preserve the documents, as light and temperature fluctuations can cause damage to the fragile, centuries-old parchment.
The documents were not always kept in such optimal conditions. Prior to their move to the National Archives in 1952, the Charters of Freedom were under the control of the State Department. They were displayed in a cabinet within the departmental library from 1876 to 1894, after which they were placed in storage until 1920. During this time, the documents suffered damage due to a lack of temperature control and adequate protection from light exposure.
The National Archives Building, in contrast, was specifically designed to provide a climate-controlled environment for the preservation of these precious documents. The Public Buildings Service rated it as the safest building in the Washington area. The Charters of Freedom are now kept in a custom-built, 50-ton steel and concrete safe, constructed by the Mosler Safe Company. This safe includes a specially designed elevator that allows the documents to be stored in a vault at night, offering protection from fire, shock, water, theft, and bomb attacks. During the day, the documents are raised from the vault and placed in their display cases.
The journey of the Charters of Freedom to the National Archives was a significant event. On December 13, 1952, the documents were transported in a procession of tanks and an armoured personnel carrier. The safe in which they are now housed sits in the upper level of the National Archives, ensuring the long-term preservation and security of these foundational texts of American democracy.
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The Declaration of Independence was previously kept near a window, causing the ink to fade
The Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, is currently housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The Rotunda at the National Archives, designed by architect John Russell Pope, serves as the permanent home of these documents, collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom. The Rotunda features a soaring domed ceiling and murals depicting fictional scenes of the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The journey of the Declaration of Independence to its current location was a long and tumultuous one. Before its final resting place in the National Archives, the document was moved multiple times. In the late 1800s, it was kept in various cities, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was housed in different locations within Washington, D.C., such as the Patent Office, Library of Congress, and State, War, and Navy Building.
The Declaration of Independence's previous storage conditions contributed to the fading of the ink. Notably, it was once kept near a window in the Patent Office Building, exposing it to sunlight. Over time, the sunlight caused the ink to fade, making the document more challenging to read today. Recognizing the importance of preserving these historical documents, the National Archives now maintains a climate-controlled environment with specific lighting conditions to prevent further degradation.
The decision to relocate the Charters of Freedom to the National Archives was influenced by concerns about their preservation and security. In the Library of Congress, the previous location of the documents, there was insufficient protection against fire or bomb attacks, and the lack of temperature controls caused damage to the parchments. The National Archives Building, on the other hand, was specifically designed to provide a safe and stable environment for the documents, with climate-controlled storage and exhibition spaces.
Today, the Charters of Freedom are protected within a custom-built, 50-ton steel and concrete safe in the National Archives. This safe includes a specially designed elevator that allows the documents to be stored in a secure vault at night and then raised into their display cases during the day. The National Archives has become one of the most popular places to visit in Washington, D.C., as people come to view these foundational documents of the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution and Declaration of Independence are kept in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Yes, there have been security concerns in the past. In 1952, it was pointed out that the Library of Congress, where the documents were kept, lacked protection against fire or bomb attacks and had no temperature controls, causing damage to the parchments. The documents are now stored in a climate-controlled space in the National Archives.
The entrance to the National Archives can be found on Constitution Avenue between 7th Street NW and 9th Street NW. The Archives are surrounded by the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and the US Navy Memorial Plaza.
The Declaration of Independence has been moved many times. In the late 1800s, it was kept in several cities, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was housed at various locations in Washington, D.C., including the Patent Office, Library of Congress, and State, War, and Navy Building. It was also moved to Fort Knox during World War II.
The Rotunda, designed by architect John Russell Pope, features a soaring domed ceiling and murals depicting fictional scenes of the presentations of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The Charters of Freedom, including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, are displayed in the Rotunda. The Rotunda is kept cold and dark to prevent light from causing the ink on the fragile documents to fade.
