Eleanor Finch
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. The US Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, is collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom. These documents are housed in the Rotunda at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The Charters of Freedom were moved to the National Archives in 1952 and are kept in a custom-built, 50-ton, steel and concrete, bomb- and fire-proof safe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | National Archives Museum, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in Washington DC |
| Display | All four pages of the document are on permanent display |
| Protection | Sealed between glass plates with inert helium gas, gelatin film, light filters, argon gas, and absorbent cellulose paper |
| Accessibility | Open to the public with ticket purchase |
| Related Attractions | Signers' Hall, interactive galleries, historic documents, artifacts, and live programming |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The National Archives Museum
The United States Constitution is on display at the National Archives Museum, located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in Washington, DC. The museum is open to the public, allowing visitors to view the document firsthand. All four pages of the Constitution are permanently exhibited in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
In 2001, the Constitution was temporarily removed from display for preservation treatment. In 2003, it was placed in more modern encasements, which addressed the previous issues. The new cases featured a gap between the document and the top layer of glass, and the humidity was controlled to a range of 25% to 35%. Additionally, argon gas replaced helium in the new encasements.
Exploring the Accessibility of the Constitution
You may want to see also
The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom
The National Archives Building is located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in Washington, D.C. The Charters of Freedom are displayed in massive, bronze-framed, bulletproof, bombproof, moisture-controlled sealed display cases in a rotunda-style room during the day and in multi-ton bomb-proof vaults at night. The Charters are flanked by two grand murals by Barry Faulkner, one featuring Thomas Jefferson amidst the Continental Congress and the other featuring James Madison at the Constitutional Convention.
The Charters of Freedom have been preserved and protected over the years, with various treatments and encasements used to ensure their longevity. In 1952, the documents were hermetically sealed between glass plates and filled with inert helium gas to protect them from the corrosive effects of normal air. In 2001, the documents were removed from their cases and treated for preservation before being installed in new, modern display cases in 2003. The new cases featured a gap between the document and the top layer of glass, and the humidity was controlled to 25-35% using argon gas instead of helium.
Foundational Principles of the Constitution
You may want to see also
The National Constitution Center
The United States Constitution is on permanent display at the National Archives Building, located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in Washington, DC. The Archives are open to the public, allowing anyone who purchases a ticket to see the document firsthand.
If you're interested in learning more about the Constitution and its history, the National Constitution Center is a great resource. The Center offers interactive galleries, rare artifacts, historic documents, and live programming that provide a deeper understanding of the Constitution and its impact on the United States.
One of the Center's main attractions is Signers' Hall, where visitors can sign the Constitution alongside 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers. The Center also offers a variety of educational resources, including over 150 primary source documents that inspired the Founders and shaped modern thought about rights and liberties. Visitors can also take part in live virtual classes and interactive online events that explore the Constitution and its relevance today.
Presidential Power: Beyond the Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The United States Bullion Depository
The depository was purposefully built in an isolated location, surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, and away from railways and highways. This natural barrier, coupled with the dangerous terrain for pilots, made it an ideal location to protect against potential military attacks.
The building is constructed from 16,500 cubic feet (470 cubic metres) of granite, 4,200 cubic yards (3,200 cubic metres) of concrete, 750 short tons (680 metric tons) of reinforced steel, and 670 short tons (610 metric tons) of structural steel. The outer wall is made of granite-lined concrete, with guard boxes at each of the four corners and sentry boxes at the entrance gate. The words "United States Depository" are inscribed over the marble front entrance, with the seal of the Department of the Treasury above it in gold.
During World War II, the United States Bullion Depository served as a storage site for important historical documents, including the original Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation. These documents were kept in the depository for protection until September 1944.
Today, Fort Knox holds 147.34 million troy ounces (4,583 metric tons) of gold reserves, valued at US$290.9 billion as of 31 July 2020. This represents 56.35% of the gold reserves of the United States.
Japan's Constitution: A US-Inspired Document?
You may want to see also
The Library of Congress
In 1924, the Library of Congress became the home of the original Constitution. President Calvin Coolidge dedicated a public display of the document, which had been preserved between two panes of insulated plate glass, protected from moisture with special absorbent cellulose paper. This was a significant moment in American history, as the founding fathers had initially shown little interest in the original parchment, focusing instead on distributing copies to the states and politicians.
The Constitution remained on display at the Library of Congress until 1941 when it was moved to the United States Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, for safekeeping during World War II. In 1952, the document found its permanent home at the National Archives in Washington, DC, where it has been meticulously preserved and displayed ever since.
Today, visitors can view the Constitution at the National Archives Museum, located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in Washington, D.C. The document is carefully preserved and displayed in modern encasements, with controlled humidity and argon gas to prevent deterioration. The National Archives is open to the public, allowing visitors to witness this pivotal document in American history firsthand.
The Constitution's "We the People": A Powerful Beginning
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The original copy of the US Constitution is kept in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. It is displayed alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. The National Archives Museum is open to the public, and anyone can purchase a ticket to see these documents.
In 1924, the Constitution was protected against moisture by being placed with special absorbent cellulose paper and sealed between two panes of insulated plate glass. A gelatin film was also used to protect the document from light. In 1952, it was hermetically sealed between glass plates and placed in a case filled with inert helium gas to protect it from the corrosive effects of normal air.
It is unclear how often the Constitution is available for public viewing. One source mentions that it is only available for viewing on September 17, while another source mentions that all four pages of the document are on permanent display at the National Archives.
![An Humble Attempt to Exhibit a Scriptural View of the Constitution, Order, Discipline, and Fellowship of the Gospel-Church / By the Rev, Archibald Hall 1795 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
