National Archives “Freedom Plane National Tour” to Take Original Founding-Era Documents Across the Country for America’s 250th Anniversary
Press Release · Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Washington, DC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Documents to travel the country on Boeing 737 “Freedom Plane” for display at major museums for the first time in history

On January 20, 2026, the National Archives and Records Administration, in partnership with the National Archives Foundation, announced the “Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation” traveling exhibition that will bring Founding-era documents to eight American cities throughout 2026. Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the Freedom Plane National Tour will make historic and consequential documents fundamental to America’s founding accessible across the nation to celebrate the semiquincentennial. The tour will kick off in March and run through August.

A livestreamed National Archives press briefing announcing the Freedom Plane National Tour was held on January 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. ET.

“Americans across the country can bear witness to the people and principles that shaped our nation through the Freedom Plane National Tour,” said Senior Advisor to the Archivist of the United States Jim Byron. “There is no more noteworthy an occasion than America’s 250th birthday to share this history, to inspire our fellow Americans to champion our nation’s founding ideals into the future.” 

The Freedom Plane National Tour is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation, through the generous support of The Boeing Company, Comcast Corporation, Microsoft, and P&G.

"At Boeing, we’re honored to help bring these foundational documents directly to communities across the country,” said Jeff Shockey, Executive Vice President of Boeing Government Operations, Global Public Policy & Corporate Strategy. “Just as flight connects people and places, this tour will connect Americans to the ideas and sacrifices that forged our nation, and make history accessible to people from coast to coast.”

“Through our critical support of the Freedom Plane National Tour, the National Archives Foundation is helping to bring not only founding-era documents themselves, but the patriotism, celebration, and wonder that they inspire, to Americans everywhere—from sea to shining sea,” said National Archives Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Patrick M. Madden. 

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 original National Archives records featured in the exhibition are traveling together for the first time. They will journey from Washington, DC to all eight cities via a Boeing 737 in Freedom Plane livery, and Boeing will provide the aircraft and associated operational support to transport the records between the venues. Those documents include:

• Original Engraving of the Declaration of Independence, 1823: One of only about 50 known 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, Alexander Hamilton’s, and Aaron Burr’s Oaths of Allegiance, 1778: Oaths of Allegiance that all officers of the Continental Army signed during the Revolutionary War. 
• Treaty of Paris, 1783: Signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, this 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. 

“The Freedom Plane National Tour underscores that the rich history of our nation belongs to all of us, not just those Americans living in or visiting Washington, DC,” said Chair and President of the National Archives Foundation Board of Directors, Rodney E. Slater. 

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.  

For images and video for media use, please refer to the Freedom Plane National Tour Press Kit.

About the National Archives

The National Archives and Records Administration is a federal agency that serves the American people by preserving and making available the records of the United States Government through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries. The National Archives is the custodian of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, on display for all to experience in Washington, DC. Learn more about the holdings of the National Archives at www.archives.gov. 

About the National Archives Foundation

The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.archivesfoundation.org.

About the National WWI Museum and Memorial

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. Learn more at www.theworldwar.org. 

About Atlanta History Center

Founded in 1926, Atlanta History Center is celebrating 100 years in 2026 as one of the nation’s premier history institutions. Located on a 33-acre campus, the all-inclusive destination features the award-winning Goizueta Children’s Experience, the immersive Cyclorama: The Big Picture, and three historic houses: the 1920s Swan House, the 1860s Smith Farm, and the 1830s Wood Family Cabin. The campus also includes nine curated gardens within Goizueta Gardens and the Kenan Research Center, home to the Cherokee Garden Library. Atlanta History Center also owns and operates Atlanta History Center Midtown, home to the Margaret Mitchell House, along with gallery space and event venues. Learn more at AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.

About the USC Fisher Museum of Art

The oldest art museum in the city of Los Angeles founded in 1939 as a free public art museum and still functioning as such in its original location. With a collection of over 2500 pieces of art, USC Fisher Museum’s exhibitions range from the Old Masters to the contemporary. Learn more at fisher.usc.edu. 

About Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science—one of the nation’s most heavily attended museums—is a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Museum has something to delight every age group. Learn more at www.hmns.org. 

About History Colorado Center and America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission 

The History Colorado Center is a state-of-the-art cultural venue in the heart of Denver featuring award-winning exhibitions that share the diverse cultural heritage of the Centennial State. History Colorado is home to and a key partner of the America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission, which is leading the state's 2026 commemorations and signature initiatives, including the Freedom Plane National Tour exhibition. For more information and ways to get involved, visit historycolorado.org and Am250CO150.org.

About HistoryMiami Museum 

Founded in 1940, HistoryMiami Museum is one of the oldest cultural institutions in Miami and a Smithsonian Affiliate. It is committed to preserving and celebrating the rich history of the city, its people, and its diverse communities. With a mission to provide inclusive spaces for dialogue and reflection, the museum creates immersive exhibitions and educational programs that engage visitors in meaningful explorations of Miami’s past, present and future. Learn more at historymiami.org. 

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Located in Dearborn, Michigan, The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, a globally recognized destination, fosters inspiration and learning from hands-on encounters with artifacts that represent the most comprehensive collection anywhere focusing on innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness in America. Its unique venues include Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school. Learn more at www.thehenryford.org. 

Museum of History & Industry

Museum of History & Industry is dedicated to enriching lives through preserving, sharing, and teaching the diverse history of Seattle, the Puget Sound region, and the nation. As the largest private heritage organization in the State of Washington; the museum engages communities through interactive exhibits, online resources, and award-winning public and youth education programs. Learn more at mohai.org.