National Archives Museum to display George Washington’s Secret, Annotated Copy of a Draft of the U.S. Constitution
Press Release · Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Washington, DC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The National Archives Museum to celebrate Constitution Day and 250 years of American independence with a never-before-seen exhibit.
The National Archives Museum will debut a once-in-a-lifetime temporary exhibit–continuing the celebration of 250 years of America’s independence and the foundations of our nation.
For the first time ever, the historic Rotunda at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, will display all seven pages of George Washington’s Annotated Copy of a Draft of the U.S. Constitution.
Beginning September 14 through September 27, 2026 in celebration of Constitution Day, visitors will see firsthand a secret printing of a draft of the U.S. Constitution, revised in Washington’s original handwriting as he presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787–two years before being unanimously elected as the first President of the United States.
Archivist of the United States Bradford P. Wilson said this exhibit, on display in the permanent home of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, reminds us of the monumental effort and genius it took to design the plan of government launching America on the path of freedom and prosperity.
“As we celebrate 250 years of America’s independence as a nation, I invite all Americans to the National Archives Museum to witness and to celebrate the original written records of what a popular historian called ‘the miracle at Philadelphia,’” Wilson said.
Visitors can view George Washington’s Annotated Copy of a Draft of the U.S. Constitution during regular museum hours of 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. from September 14 through September 27.
Admission to the National Archives Museum is free. Visitors should anticipate longer than usual wait times, and are welcome to reserve $1 timed-entry tickets to ensure timely entry into the Rotunda.
To get tickets and learn more about all of the exhibitions that share The American Story, explore the National Archives Museum at visit.archives.gov.
This is the Committee of Detail's draft of the U.S. Constitution that George Washington annotated with his comments. View in the National Archives Catalog.
This is the Committee of Detail's draft of the U.S. Constitution that George Washington annotated with his comments. View in the National Archives Catalog.
This is the Committee of Detail's draft of the U.S. Constitution that George Washington annotated with his comments. View in the National Archives Catalog.
This is the Committee of Detail's draft of the U.S. Constitution that George Washington annotated with his comments. View in the National Archives Catalog.
This is the Committee of Detail's draft of the U.S. Constitution that George Washington annotated with his comments. View in the National Archives Catalog.
This is the Committee of Detail's draft of the U.S. Constitution that George Washington annotated with his comments. View in the National Archives Catalog.
This is the Committee of Detail's draft of the U.S. Constitution that George Washington annotated with his comments. View in the National Archives Catalog.
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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.
This page was last reviewed on September 9, 2026.
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