A National Archives traveling exhibition bringing seven original Founding-era documents to eight U.S. cities in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. 

 

Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the Freedom Plane National Tour will make documents fundamental to America’s founding accessible to Americans across the country.

A National Archives traveling exhibition bringing seven original Founding-era documents to eight U.S. cities in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. 

 

Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the Freedom Plane National Tour will make documents fundamental to America’s founding accessible to Americans across the country.

Tour Stops

KANSAS CITY, MO

March 6 – March 22

National WWI Museum and Memorial

ATLANTA, GA

March 27 – April 12

Atlanta History Center

LOS ANGELES, CA

April 17 – May 3

University of Southern California Fisher Museum of Art

HOUSTON, TX

May 8 – May 25

Houston Museum of Natural Science

DENVER, CO

May 28 – June 14

History Colorado Center

MIAMI, FL

June 20 – July 5

History Miami Museum

DEARBORN, MI

July 9 – July 26

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

SEATTLE, WA

July 30 – August 16

Museum of History and Industry

Tour Stops

KANSAS CITY, MO

National WWI Museum and Memorial

March 6 – March 22

ATLANTA, GA

Atlanta History Center

March 27 – April 12

LOS ANGELES, CA

University of Southern California Fisher Museum of Art

April 17 – May 3

HOUSTON, TX

Houston Museum of Natural Science

May 8 – May 25

DENVER, CO

History Colorado Center

May 28 – June 14

MIAMI, FL

History Miami Museum

June 20 – July 5

DEARBORN, MI

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

July 9 – July 26

SEATTLE, WA

Museum of History and Industry

July 30 – August 16

The Documents

The seven original, historic documents from the holdings of the National Archives—traveling together for the first time in history—include:

William Stone Engraving of the
Declaration of Independence, 1823 One of only about 50 known copies of the original the Declaration of Independence, commissioned by John Quincy Adams and made by engraver William J. Stone. William Stone Engraving of the
Declaration of Independence, 1823 One of only about 50 known copies of the original the Declaration of Independence, commissioned by John Quincy Adams and made by engraver William J. Stone. Articles of Association, 1774 The most important agreement at the time that was adopted by the First Continental Congress and signed by all 53 delegates that urged colonists to boycott British goods. The most important agreement at the time that was adopted by the First Continental Congress and signed by all 53 delegates that urged colonists to boycott British goods. Articles of Association, 1774 George Washington’s, Alexander Hamilton’s,
and Aaron Burr’s Oaths of Allegiance, 1778 Oaths of Allegiance that all officers of the Continental Army signed during the Revolutionary War. Oaths of Allegiance that all officers of the Continental Army signed during the Revolutionary War. George Washington’s, Alexander Hamilton’s,
and Aaron Burr’s Oaths of Allegiance, 1778 Treaty of Paris, 1783 Signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, the Treaty with Great Britain formally recognized the United States as an independent nation. Signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, the Treaty with Great Britain formally recognized the United States as an independent nation. Treaty of Paris, 1783 David Brearley’s Secret Printing
of the Constitution, 1787 A rare copy of the U.S. Constitution in draft form, with the delegate’s handwritten notes made during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. A rare copy of the U.S. Constitution in draft form, with the delegate’s handwritten notes made during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. David Brearley’s Secret Printing
of the Constitution, 1787 State Delegation Votes
Approving the Constitution, 1787 The voting records of the Constitutional Convention reflecting the debates, resolutions, and eventual vote on the final text that would become the Constitution. The voting records of the Constitutional Convention reflecting the debates, resolutions, and eventual vote on the final text that would become the Constitution. State Delegation Votes
Approving the Constitution, 1787

The Documents

The seven original, historic documents from the holdings of the National Archives—traveling together for the first time in history—include:

William Stone Engraving of the
Declaration of Independence, 1823 One of only about 50 known copies of the original the Declaration of Independence, commissioned by John Quincy Adams and made by engraver William J. Stone. William Stone Engraving of the
Declaration of Independence, 1823 One of only about 50 known copies of the original the Declaration of Independence, commissioned by John Quincy Adams and made by engraver William J. Stone. Articles of Association, 1774 The most important agreement at the time that was adopted by the First Continental Congress and signed by all 53 delegates that urged colonists to boycott British goods. The most important agreement at the time that was adopted by the First Continental Congress and signed by all 53 delegates that urged colonists to boycott British goods. Articles of Association, 1774 George Washington’s, Alexander Hamilton’s,
and Aaron Burr’s Oaths of Allegiance, 1778 Oaths of Allegiance that all officers of the Continental Army signed during the Revolutionary War. Oaths of Allegiance that all officers of the Continental Army signed during the Revolutionary War. George Washington’s, Alexander Hamilton’s,
and Aaron Burr’s Oaths of Allegiance, 1778 Treaty of Paris, 1783 Signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, the Treaty with Great Britain formally recognized the United States as an independent nation. Signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, the Treaty with Great Britain formally recognized the United States as an independent nation. Treaty of Paris, 1783 David Brearley’s Secret Printing
of the Constitution, 1787 A rare copy of the U.S. Constitution in draft form, with the delegate’s handwritten notes made during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. A rare copy of the U.S. Constitution in draft form, with the delegate’s handwritten notes made during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. David Brearley’s Secret Printing
of the Constitution, 1787 State Delegation Votes
Approving the Constitution, 1787 The voting records of the Constitutional Convention reflecting the debates, resolutions, and eventual vote on the final text that would become the Constitution. The voting records of the Constitutional Convention reflecting the debates, resolutions, and eventual vote on the final text that would become the Constitution. State Delegation Votes
Approving the Constitution, 1787

Teachers and Educators

Explore free educational activities related to the documents traveling on the Freedom Plane National Tour. Click on the logo below for the National Archives’ DOCSTeach resource site.

Teachers and Educators

Explore free educational activities related to the documents traveling on the Freedom Plane National Tour. Click on the logo below for the National Archives’ DOCSTeach resource site.

Support

The Freedom Plane National Tour is being brought to the public by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration and the National Archives Foundation.

Supported by:

With additional support by:

Support

The Freedom Plane National Tour is being brought to the public by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration and the National Archives Foundation.

Supported by:

With additional support by:

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