National Archives Building

The National Archives Building, often called Archives I, is the main office of the United States National Archives and Records Administration. It sits north of the National Mall at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. in Washington, D.C.. Visitors can enter through the rotunda on Constitution Avenue or use the research entrance on Pennsylvania Avenue.

A second, bigger building called Archives II or A2 is located in College Park, Maryland. The original Archives Building was constructed in the 1930s and later recognized for its importance. In 1966, it became part of the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site, and in 1971, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Just recently, in December 2023, it was named a National Historic Landmark.

Exhibits

The National Archives building shows original copies of three important documents for the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These are displayed in the main chamber's rotunda, called the Charters of Freedom, in Washington, D.C.. In 2026, the Emancipation Proclamation and 19th Amendment were added to the display.

The building also has other important historical items, like the Continental Association, the Articles of Confederation, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, and collections of photographs. There is even an original version of the 1297 Magna Carta confirmed by Edward I. Between 2003 and 2004, special exhibits for the Gettysburg Address and Emancipation Proclamation were shown to the public. Visitors can walk freely between the documents in the rotunda, and natural light photography is allowed in research rooms.

History

From the start, the U.S. government kept records of its policies and decisions, but for over 150 years, there was no safe place to store these important documents. Fires sometimes destroyed them, showing the need for a special building. In 1926, Congress approved building the National Archives Building.

Construction began in 1931, with President Herbert Hoover laying the cornerstone in 1933. The building was designed by architect John Russell Pope, who moved its location to a more fitting spot. It took many workers and lots of effort to build, with special systems for storing records. The building opened in 1935, though some work continued afterward. Later, a second archives building was completed in College Park, Maryland, in 1993 to hold more records.

The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights have been displayed in the Archives since 1952. They were placed in special cases to keep them safe. In 2001, the cases were replaced with new ones to better protect these important documents, and they went back on display in 2003.

Statues

Outside the National Archives building stand four large statues. They were carved between 1934 and 1935 from strong limestone slabs brought from Indiana. Two statues guard the south entrance, and two are at the north entrances.

The north statues are called Past and Future. Past shows an older man, and his pedestal says, "Study the Past," quoting Confucius. Future shows a young woman, and her pedestal reads, "What is Past is Prologue," from The Tempest.

The south statues are named Heritage and Guardianship. Heritage shows a woman holding a child and symbols of home and family. Her pedestal says, "The heritage of the past is the seed that brings forth the harvest of the future," from Wendell Phillips. Guardianship shows a strong man holding a sword, with a pedestal that reads, "Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty," from Thomas Jefferson.

Warren Commission

The Warren Commission looked into the assassination of John F. Kennedy. They had their first meeting on December 5, 1963, in a room on the second floor of the National Archives Building.

Images

Major documents in the National Archives

• Magna Carta

• Declaration of Independence

• Constitution of the United States

• Bill of Rights

In popular culture

The National Archives Building was shown in the 2004 movie National Treasure. In the film, the Declaration of Independence is taken from the building.

The building also appears in the 2008 video game Fallout 3. Inside, players can find a robot wearing a powdered wig. This robot thinks it is Button Gwinnett, a Founding Father, and it guards the Declaration of Independence.