Recently we visited the National Archives, my top request for a historic site American 250 visit.
Despite previous visits, I couldn’t think of a better way to honor the work poured into this historic document by our Founding Fathers.
While taking the grand marble staircases up to the Rotunda level, I marveled at the grandness of the space.
Entering the Rotunda, the murals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, overlooking the Founding Documents, are an amazing sight. (check my video here on youtube)
In preparation for the American 250, I’ve been reading an excellent book, The Making of the American Mind: The Story of our Declaration of Independence by Matthew Spalding.
When my turn came to view the Declaration of Independence, I thought about all I had read that was poured onto this parchment to form our country of freedom.
AMERICA 250 – DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
I visited two exhibits next door to each other, about the Declaration of Independence.
One told the history of the Declaration of Independence, beginning with the French and Indian War up to the bicentennial.
The other exhibit showcased how the Stone Engraving of the Declaration…
…which preserved the look of our Declaration of Independence for future printings for posterity.
After absorbing every detail of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution, we visited the America 250 exhibits featuring the Declaration of Independence.
In this section was a gorgeous slide show of quotes by the Founding Fathers, which can be viewed in my Flickr set.
TEMPORARY HOME AT LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
After 145 years of precarious safety while escaping the British and on various tours for the public to see, the Declaration of Independence moved to the Library of Congress in 1921 where archival protection was beginning to be understood.
All that handling of the document also caused much of the ink to fade and the parchment to be compromised.
BUILDING THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
In 1931, the National Archives was built on Pennsylvania Avenue halfway between the Capitol and the White House.
This photograph shows the progress made by 1934.
In 1952, the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution arrived by secure guard to its new permanent home, the National Archives.
In the display case is a 600 pound model of the vault used in 1952 where the historic documents were kept at night.
The actual vault was made of concrete and steel weighing 50 tons.
An intricate system for protecting the documents at night in 2001, currently in use, which involves moving them underground.
I seem to recall a great explanation of it on National Treasure!
