Freedom Plane Brings Founding Documents to 8 U.S. Cities

Starting in March, Americans in eight cities will get to see original documents from the birth of their nation without stepping foot in a museum.

The National Archives is launching the Freedom Plane, a Boeing 737 carrying some of the rarest pieces of American history. From March through August, the plane will visit Kansas City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, Miami, Dearborn, and Seattle.

The documents on board tell the story of America's founding in ways textbooks never could. One treasure is an 1823 engraving of the Declaration of Independence, one of only about 50 known copies, commissioned by John Quincy Adams himself.

There's also the Articles of Association from 1774, signed by all 53 Continental Congress delegates urging colonists to boycott British goods. It marks the first organized protest against Britain.

Personal items make the collection even more powerful. Visitors will see Oaths of Allegiance signed by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr during the Revolutionary War in 1778.

Perhaps most fascinating is a draft copy of the Constitution covered in handwritten notes from the Constitutional Convention debates in 1787. The Tally of Votes that approved the final Constitution text will be there too, showing the actual voting record that shaped our government.

The Ripple Effect

Jim Byron, senior advisor to the Archivist of the United States, said the tour lets Americans "bear witness to the people and principles that shaped our nation." This isn't just about looking at old paper. It's about connecting people across the country to their shared history.

Rodney Slater, president of the National Archives Foundation, emphasized that "the rich history of our nation belongs to all of us, not just those Americans living in or visiting Washington, D.C." By bringing these documents to cities often overlooked by major tours, the Freedom Plane ensures more Americans can experience their heritage firsthand.

Every exhibit is completely free. There's no cap on visitor numbers, though you might wait in line if a venue fills up. The message is clear: this history belongs to everyone.

The Freedom Plane launches March 3 from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, proving that sometimes the best way to honor the past is to share it as widely as possible.