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National Archives Review

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National Archives

Fodor's Review:

The National Archives are at once monument, museum, and the nation's memory. Headquartered in a grand marble edifice on Constitution Avenue, the National Archives and Records Administration is charged with preserving and archiving the most historically important U.S. government records. Its 8 billion paper records and 4 billion electronic records date back to 1775. The star attractions, which draw millions of reverential viewers every year, are the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. These are housed in the Archives' cathedral-like rotunda, each on a marble platform, encased in bulletproof glass, and floating in pressurized helium, which protects the irreplaceable documents. To the right of the rotunda, displayed with great majesty, is the 1297 Magna Carta, the document of English common law whose language inspired the Constitution: it's one of four remaining originals.

The permanent exhibit showcases the breadth of the Archives' holdings. You can find anything from the Emancipation Proclamation to the first issue of Mad magazine (used as evidence in Congressional hearings on juvenile delinquency), or the rifle Lee Harvey Oswald used to assassinate John F. Kennedy. Watch films of flying saucers, used as evidence in Congressional UFO hearings, listen to the Nuremberg trials, or Congress debating Prohibition—selections from the Archives 500,000 film and audio recordings.

Many exhibits are interactive and kid-friendly. One room of letters from children to U.S. presidents includes a letter from seventh-grader Andy Smith, asking Ronald Regan for Federal funds to clean up a disaster area—his room. The Archives are a research resource open to anyone. Family genealogists can find birth, death, military, and census records, immigrant ships' passenger lists, letters, and maps since the beginning of the nation's history. Assistants in the Archives can help you track down ancestors' records, or anything else you might be looking for.

Reservations to visit the Archives are recommended: without one, you could wait up to an hour to get in to one of the capital's most compelling museums. Reservations for guided tours, or for a self-guided visit, must be made at least six weeks in advance. Information is on the Web site. Expect to spend about 90 minutes here, viewing the charter documents and touring the permanent exhibit. Before touring the exhibit, it's a good idea to check out the informative introductory film in the McGowan Theater. The Archives regularly host films and lectures; check the Web site to see what's on.

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