Jonah Patel
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 US Constitution is stored alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights in a room called the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | National Archives Building, Washington, DC |
| Address | 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC |
| Nearby landmarks | Federal Trade Commission, US Department of Justice, National Mall |
| Storage method | Argon-filled cases, bomb-proof vault |
| Preservation | Re-encased in glass with special light filters, inert gas, and controlled humidity |
| Accessibility | Open to the public with tickets |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution is stored in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC
- The Charters of Freedom is a collective term for the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights
- The documents were stored in the State, War, and Navy Building until 1920
- The Charters of Freedom were moved to the National Archives in 1952
- The documents are stored in argon-filled cases to inhibit degradation
The US Constitution is stored in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC
The US Constitution is stored alongside other important national documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom. These documents are displayed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, a room within the National Archives Building. The Rotunda features two large murals painted by artist Barry Faulkner that depict the historical events surrounding the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The National Archives Museum is open to the public, and visitors can purchase tickets to see the US Constitution and other documents firsthand. The documents are stored in argon-filled cases to inhibit their degradation and are lowered into a bomb-proof vault at night for added security and protection.
The preservation of the US Constitution has been a subject of concern, and efforts have been made over the years to ensure its longevity. In 1951, a study was conducted by the National Bureau of Standards to examine the way the Constitution was stored. As a result, the document was re-encased in glass with special light filters, inert gas, and controlled humidity to prevent corrosion and deterioration. In 2001, the Constitution was again removed from its case for treatment and preservation, and it was installed in modern display cases in 2003.
The Constitution of 1787: Foundation of American Democracy
You may want to see also
The Charters of Freedom is a collective term for the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights
The Charters of Freedom is a collective term for three documents in early US history: the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. These documents are considered fundamental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. They are currently housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, a room within the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. The Rotunda features two grand murals by artist Barry Faulkner, one depicting Thomas Jefferson amidst the Continental Congress, and the other showing James Madison at the Constitutional Convention.
The Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights have had a long and fascinating history. Before their move to the National Archives in 1952, they were under the control of the State Department. They were displayed at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 in Philadelphia and subsequently returned to the State, War, and Navy Building in Washington, DC (now the Eisenhower Executive Office Building). The documents were displayed in a cabinet within the departmental library until 1894 when they were removed due to fading. They remained in storage until 1920, when efforts were made to advocate for their preservation and exhibition.
In 1930, designers for the National Archives added an exhibition hall to their plans, intending to create a monumental exhibit space for these vital documents. In 1933, President Herbert Hoover announced that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution would be exhibited at the National Archives building. In October 1934, as the Archives building was nearing completion, President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved the transfer of the Charters of Freedom to the Archives. On December 13, 1952, the documents arrived at their new home in an armoured personnel carrier, where they were placed in a custom-built, bomb- and fire-proof safe.
The Charters of Freedom have undergone several preservation and display enhancements over the years. In 1952, the Constitution was hermetically sealed between glass plates and filled with inert helium gas to protect it from the corrosive effects of normal air. In July 2001, the documents were removed from their cases, treated for preservation, and installed in modern display cases in September 2003. The National Archives Museum is now open to the public, allowing visitors to view these pivotal documents firsthand.
Does the Constitution Still Work in Modern Times?
You may want to see also
The documents were stored in the State, War, and Navy Building until 1920
The original copy of the US Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, was stored in the State, War, and Navy Building (now the Eisenhower Executive Office Building) from 1876 until 1920. The documents were displayed in a cabinet within the departmental library until 1894, when they were removed due to fading. They remained in storage until 1920, when efforts were made to preserve and exhibit them.
The State, War, and Navy Building served as the home of these important documents for over four decades. During this time, the building underwent a period of storage and transition. In 1894, the documents were taken down from their display in the departmental library due to concerns of fading. This marked a shift towards preservation, as the documents were moved to a storage area within the building.
The State, War, and Navy Building played a significant role in housing these documents during a period when they were not actively on display. This period of storage highlights the recognition of the historical significance of these documents and the need to safeguard them for the future.
In 1920, the Secretary of State formed a committee to advocate for the preservation and exhibition of the documents. This committee recommended transferring the papers of the Continental Congress and other historical archives held at the State Department to the Library of Congress. This initiative marked a turning point in the preservation and accessibility of these important records.
The State, War, and Navy Building, with its storage facilities, provided a temporary haven for the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights during a period of transition and evolving preservation practices. The building's role in housing these documents until 1920 underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure their longevity and accessibility for future generations.
Unethical Oil Business: What's the Real Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Charters of Freedom were moved to the National Archives in 1952
The US Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, are collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom. These documents were once controlled by the State Department. They were displayed at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876 and were subsequently returned to the State, War, and Navy Building in Washington, DC. In 1894, they were removed from display due to fading and remained in storage until 1920. At that time, efforts were made to advocate for their preservation and exhibition.
In 1930, plans for the National Archives included an exhibition hall designed to house and display the Charters of Freedom. In 1933, President Herbert Hoover announced that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution would be exhibited at the National Archives building. However, it was not until 1952 that the Charters of Freedom were officially transferred to their new home.
On December 13, 1952, the documents were transported to the Archives in an armoured personnel carrier, escorted by tanks. Upon arrival, they were placed in a custom-built, steel and concrete safe, designed to be bomb-proof and fire-proof. The safe included a specialised elevator system that allowed the documents to be stored in a secure vault at night and then raised into their display cases during the day.
Since 1952, the Charters of Freedom have been displayed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom within the National Archives Building. The building is located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in Washington, DC, between the Federal Trade Commission and the US Department of Justice, just north of the National Mall. The National Archives Museum is open to the public, allowing visitors to purchase tickets to view these important historical documents.
Founding Fathers' Privacy Vision in the Constitution
You may want to see also
The documents are stored in argon-filled cases to inhibit degradation
The original copy of the US Constitution is kept in 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 National Archives Museum is open to the public, allowing anyone who purchases a ticket to see these documents firsthand.
The US Constitution has not always been stored in the National Archives Building. In fact, it was subjected to careless handling and was kept in unremarkable storage buildings for many years. 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 1951, a study was conducted by the National Bureau of Standards to examine the way the Constitution was stored. The document was then re-encased in glass with special light filters, inert gas, and more favourable humidity. In 1952, it was moved to the National Archives, where it has been displayed in its current home in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
In 2001, the US Constitution was removed from its case and treated for preservation. In 2003, it was installed in new, modern display cases. Instead of helium, argon gas was used for the new cases. Argon is a noble, non-reactive gas that protects the document from the corrosive effects of normal air. Argon-filled cases also help to inhibit degradation by maintaining the proper humidity levels. This is especially important given that the US Constitution suffered from irreversible glass disease due to high humidity levels in the past.
Texas Constitution: The Year It All Changed
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The original copy of the US Constitution is stored in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
The room that displays the Constitution is called the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
The Constitution is stored alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
The National Archives Building became the home of the Constitution in 1952.
