The flagship of the US Government's National Archives and Records Administration, this Greek Revival building in DC's Federal Triangle was created in 1934 to house records of America's military, civic and diplomatic origins and activities. Home to the Charters of Freedom (the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights) the Archives offer a comprehensive visitor experience that includes the charters themselves, as well as a peek into the public research vaults and a film about the relationship between public records and democracy.
Practical Info
The public entrance is located at the corner of
Constitution Avenue and 9th Street; visitors without advanced
reservations line up here to await admission. Advanced reservations for
entrance and guided tours (held at 9:45 a.m., Monday-Friday) can be made. The onsite Charter Café is open Monday through Friday from 7:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. The archives offer no dedicated public parking, but the site is directly across the street from the Metrorail's Archives-Navy Memorial
station, which serves the yellow and green lines.