National Archives Rotunda (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights)

The National Archives Building at 701 Constitution Avenue NW, between the National Mall and Penn Quarter in Washington, D.C., houses the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, where the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791) are on permanent display. The building, designed by John Russell Pope, was completed in 1935 as the first permanent home of the National Archives, established in 1934. Its Neoclassical facade features massive Corinthian columns, bronze doors and sculpture by James Earle Fraser. Inside, the Rotunda is dominated by two large murals painted by Barry Faulkner in 1936, depicting Thomas Jefferson presenting the Declaration of Independence to John Hancock and James Madison presenting the Constitution to George Washington. The documents were moved to Fort Knox for safekeeping during World War II and returned to public display in 1944. They were transferred to the Archives in 1952 from the Library of Congress, and the display has been upgraded several times, most recently in 2003 with sealed titanium and aluminum cases filled with argon gas and with advanced security and humidity control. The four pages of the Constitution and the Declaration are kept in these cases, and the lighting is kept low to protect the faded ink, which means the Declaration in particular is difficult to read. The documents are shown in a chronological sequence as part of a ceremonial setting rather than a story-driven exhibition. Beyond the Rotunda, the Public Vaults exhibition presents selected records from the holdings, and a copy of the 1297 Magna Carta is displayed in the David M. Rubenstein Gallery. The Archives also stages rotating exhibits on records such as photographs, treaties and military documents. The visit is free, and a typical visit lasts about 60 to 90 minutes. Entry involves airport-style security screening, and the Constitution Avenue entrance is used for visitors, with a Special Events entrance on Pennsylvania Avenue. Reservations are recommended during busy periods through the National Archives website.