National Archives Undertakes Museum Renovation
Press Release · Thursday, June 1, 2023

Washington, DC

The National Archives is improving visitor experience by redesigning the permanent galleries and the learning center, as well as upgrading the theater at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, in partnership with the National Archives Foundation. 

Renovations of the Boeing Learning Center will begin on June 15, 2023, and the renovations of the Public Vaults will begin on July 5, 2023. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to these two areas when we reopen in the summer of 2025. During the renovation of the Boeing Learning Center, our Education staff will continue to facilitate on-site education programs for K-12 classes and teacher professional development sessions. Reservations for both programs should be made by emailing fieldtrips@nara.gov.

The National Archives Rotunda—home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—will remain open during the renovation. The Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, and the National Archives Store will also remain open. 

Entry to the National Archives Museum is free and reservations are not required. Timed entry tickets are available 90 days in advance. You may reserve up to six tickets per reservation and there is a non-refundable $1.00 convenience fee per ticket. To reserve tickets to the National Archives Museum please go to Recreation.gov.

The renovation is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2025, ahead of the National Archives' celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The last major renovation to the National Archives Museum took place in 2013, when the David M. Rubenstein Gallery was opened. The Public Vaults opened to the public in 2004, and this will be their first renovation.