Exhibit Opening: Opening the Vault at the Presidential Libraries (Dallas)

George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Dallas, TX

America 250: See records that shaped the nation, many traveling outside Washington, D.C. for the first time!

Opening the Vault at the Presidential Libraries invites the public to experience the power of original documents, up close and in person. In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is sharing original, history-making records with the public in the places where Americans live, learn, and gather. Many of these documents have never left the National Archives and they are among the most iconic, marking significant events in our nation’s history.

The George W. Bush Presidential Library invites the public to see a selection of these traveling documents which help tell the story of the nation’s founding, reflecting landmark events across time, ranging from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War, to the Declaration of War against Germany, from Thomas Edison’s patent for the light bulb to the deed of gift for the Statue of Liberty. Collectively, these documents form part of the tapestry of our nation’s history. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are proud to bring these records to Dallas as part of the nation’s celebration.

Our “Opening the Vault” exhibit will run for five weeks only, from April 20 to May 21, 2026, in our Research Room. In keeping with the George W. Bush Presidential Library’s mission to preserve, protect, and share the historical records of the United States, admission to see these history-making documents is free of charge.

In addition, we invite visitors to see “Opening the Vault” documents related to the National Parks at the George W. Bush Presidential Museum (regular admission rates apply).

More information about the George W. Bush Presidential Library’s exhibit can be found on our website (https://www.georgewbushlibrary.gov/) while you can learn more about the George W. Bush Presidential Museum, including admission information, at https://www.bushcenter.org/visit