Freedom Plane National Tour Press Kit
For the first time in history, the National Archives will display Documents That Forged a Nation at major museums across the country, celebrating America's 250th Anniversary.
Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the National Archives and Records Administration, in partnership with the National Archives Foundation, will bring Founding-era documents to eight American cities throughout 2026, sharing original, historical, and consequential documents fundamental to America's founding. The Freedom Plane National Tour will begin in March 2026 and will run through August 2026.
The “Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation” exhibition will visit the following cities:
- Kansas City, MO: National WWI Museum and Memorial: Friday, March 6 – Sunday, March 22
- Atlanta, GA: Atlanta History Center: Friday, March 27 – Sunday, April 12
- Los Angeles, CA: University of Southern California Fisher Museum of Art: Friday, April 17 – Sunday, May 3
- Houston, TX: Houston Museum of Natural Science: Friday, May 8 – Monday, May 25
- Denver, CO: History Colorado Center: Thursday, May 28 – Sunday, June 14
- Miami, FL: HistoryMiami Museum: Saturday, June 20 – Sunday, July 5
- Dearborn, MI: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation: Thursday, July 9 – Sunday, July 26
- Seattle, WA: Museum of History & Industry: Thursday, July 30 – Sunday, August 16
The documents are traveling together for the first time in history. They will journey from Washington, DC to all eight cities aboard The Freedom Plane, with generous support from The Boeing Company. Boeing will provide the aircraft and associated operational support to transport the records between the venues. The exhibition will be free and open to the public at all eight venues. To secure tickets, visit the individual museum websites or contact the museums directly.
A 3D rendering of a Boeing 737 in Freedom Plane livery, to be used during the “Freedom Plane National Tour” (Courtesy of the National Archives Foundation)
On Display
The original records featured in the “Documents That Forged a Nation” traveling exhibition, most of which are leaving Washington, DC for the first time in many decades, include:
Original Engraving of the Declaration of Independence, 1823
One of only about 50 known original engraved copies of the Declaration of Independence, printed from a copperplate of the original, commissioned by John Quincy Adams and made by engraver William J. Stone. The engraving captured the size, text, lettering, and signatures of the original document (on loan from David M. Rubenstein).
Articles of Association, 1774
Signed by all 53 delegates, the Articles of Association urged colonists to boycott British goods and was the Continental Congress's first major unified act of resistance against Britain.
George Washington's Oath of Allegiance, 1778
This item is the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity that was signed by General George Washington while encamped and in command of the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. His oath was sworn before, and also signed by, William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, Major General. This affirmation came to be taken due to a Congressional Resolve dated February 3, 1778, that directed "every officer who holds or shall hereafter hold a commission or office from Congress" to take this oath.
Alexander Hamilton Oath of Allegiance, 1778
This is the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity that was signed by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, while stationed and encamped with the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. This affirmation came to be taken due to a Congressional Resolve dated February 3, 1778, that directed "every officer who holds or shall hereafter hold a commission or office from Congress" to take this oath.
Aaron Burr's Oath of Allegiance, 1778
This is the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity that was signed by Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Burr, of Malcolm's Regiment, while stationed and encamped with the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. This affirmation came to be taken due to a Congressional Resolve dated February 3, 1778, that directed "every officer who holds or shall hereafter hold a commission or office from Congress" to take this oath.
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.
Secret Printing of the Constitution in Draft Form, 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.
Tally of 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.
Images and video for media use
Members of the media are welcome to access high resolution scans, b-roll video footage, the 3D rendering of the exhibit, and logos at this link. Please credit scans of the documents to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, and please credit all b-roll, exhibit rendering, and logos to the National Archives Foundation.
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.
Tag us on social media, and use the hashtag #ArchivesFreedomPlane!