Free and Independent: Special Major Exhibition Opens as a “Celebration of the Declaration”
Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration shares the riveting story behind America’s most important founding document
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2026 – The National Archives Museum debuted its new special exhibition in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration shares the story behind the Declaration of Independence: how it came to be, how it has been protected for 250 years, and how the United States has celebrated its signing throughout history.
The exhibition features 40 original artifacts from the National Archives collections and other lenders, including a 1763 Broadside of King George III’s “Instructions to the Governors of His Provinces in America,” the Lee Resolution that proposed declaring independence, and the 1776 Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence—one of the first printed versions of the Declaration distributed to the colonies.
Visitors to Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration begin exploring daily life in British America, getting to know some of the men who risked everything—including their lives—by signing the Declaration of Independence.
Visitors begin by exploring the times of the 18th century to gain a better understanding of daily life in British America, learning more about some of the leaders who risked everything—including their lives—by signing the Declaration of Independence.
Franck Cordes, Capital Campaign Project Director for the National Archives Foundation, said this new exhibition exemplifies the magnitude of the moment of signing the Declaration of Independence, and how the American spirit has grown.
“Every July 4th, when we celebrate the Declaration of Independence, is a reminder of how we started as a nation,” Cordes said. “It also reminds us of how we have kept going as a nation, and how we have continually been inspired by the words of the Declaration—for this ongoing dialogue that we have—on what it means to be free and what it means to be American.”
The exhibition then turns to more recent times to highlight the preservation of the Declaration of Independence, which arrived at the National Archives and Records Administration in 1952, to showcase a true “national treasure.” Unlike in the well-known film, there is no treasure map on the back of the Declaration; however, visitors will uncover how the document has been preserved over the years.
Among the artifacts on display is a 600-pound working model of the original vault, where the Charters of Freedom were securely protected at night. Created by the Mosler Safe Company in 1952, the real vault in Washington, DC was made of concrete and steel, weighing more than 50 tons. However, this is no longer top-secret information: as part of a major renovation in 2001, a new vault with state-of-the-art technology was constructed and installed.
The Mosler Model of the original vault for the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, (1952)
Visitors look up close at the Mosler Model of the original vault for the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC.
“This exhibit is a celebratory exhibit,” Cordes said. “It’s a celebration of our founding and a celebration of the country. The exhibit is really an overview of how we got to the day that it was decided to sign the Declaration, and from then on, how the Declaration went on to be a national treasure—and how we keep it and protect it as a national treasure.”
The exhibition concludes by featuring walls and cases filled with memorabilia from past Independence Day celebrations—including nationwide 1976 Bicentennial Celebrations—to spotlight the Declaration’s cultural impacts over time through media, visual arts, and music.
Flags hanging from the ceiling mark the beginning of the celebration within the new temporary exhibit “Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration.”
Patrick Madden, Chief Executive Officer for the National Archives Foundation, said this exhibition is filled with Americana at the perfect time to celebrate our nation.
“The culmination of what’s here will unlock for our visitors the very beginnings of our country,” Madden said. “The exhibit takes you through that moment, and then reveals how the American public celebrated. And now we get our chance to add to that celebration with the 250th.”
This special exhibition will run through July 5th, 2027, and is free and open to the public. Advance tickets can be reserved online at visit.archives.gov.
Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of The Boeing Company, Comcast Corporation, Microsoft, and P&G. Additional support provided by Ancestry, John Hancock, and C&G Partners.
The new temporary exhibit at the National Archives Museum "Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration"
The new temporary exhibit at the National Archives Museum "Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration"
The new temporary exhibit at the National Archives Museum "Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration"
The new temporary exhibit at the National Archives Museum "Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration"
The new temporary exhibit at the National Archives Museum "Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration"
Are you a member of the media who would like to cover this exhibit? For media inquiries, please contact the National Archives External Affairs and Communications via email at public.affairs@nara.gov.