WASHINGTON—The National Archives is displaying the entire U.S. Constitution, including all 27 amendments together, for the first time.
“This has never happened before, so it’s very exciting, and it’s only for two weeks,” Jessie Kratz, National Archives historian and curator of the exhibit, told The Epoch Times.
Visitors to the nation’s capital can see the documents in the rotunda of the archives building at 700 Pennsylvania Ave. from Sept. 16 through Oct. 1.
Also included in the display is the fifth page of the Constitution, known as the transmittal page, which explains the ratification process for states, signed by George Washington, then president of the Constitutional Convention.
Curators scheduled the opening of the exhibit one day before Constitution Day, Sept. 17.
The original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are kept permanently on display at the archives, but the fifth page and the other 17 amendments are usually stored in vaults for preservation purposes.
“We want to share this with the American people,” Kratz said.
Most documents are typically on exhibit for one year out of every 10, according to the curator.
Doors will remain open later than usual, until 7 p.m., on two weekends, Sept. 20–Sept. 21 and Sept. 27–Sept. 28 to accommodate visitors.
Several groups of young students and two brothers from New Castle, Indiana, were among the first to see the full Constitution.
“I think it’s wonderful, especially with a bunch of kids here, too, where they can get involved and experience it for themselves,” Chris Davis, 41, told The Epoch Times, while encouraging all who can to visit the National Archives.
“It’s definitely [one of] the top three things to do in your entire life. If you can make it here, it’s very, very important to know your history so you don’t recreate the past.”
He said it was a pleasure to share the experience with his younger brother, both of whom are particularly fond of the country’s history.
“Seeing it all on display like this in person is kind of surreal,” Donald Williams, 38, told The Epoch Times, bringing attention to the many steps taken to preserve the documents, including low lighting and humidity and temperature control, in addition to multiple layers of armed security.
“That really brings peace of mind for me.”
His perspective, he said, was shaped by four years of service in the U.S. military.
“These documents have been protected by men that paid the ultimate price,” Williams said, noting the thousands of graves in Arlington Cemetery filled by those who gave their lives for the nation.
“Freedom isn’t free. There’s a price to be paid, and it’s paid in blood a lot of the time, and those men and women who paid that ultimate sacrifice should be remembered because they fought and died for these documents.”
The Constitution exhibit helps kick off the America 250 celebration, which culminates in a blowout bash on July 4, 2026.
Other events planned for the archives include a historic reopening titled “The American Story” on Oct. 23.
The 10,000 square-foot interactive experience includes 50 original documents and artifacts, many never before publicly displayed.
One highlight includes George Washington’s personally annotated copy of the Constitution.
Two new permanent exhibits, the Emancipation Proclamation and the 19th Amendment, are scheduled for Spring 2026.
The party will then kick into gear in June 2026 with a three-day festival featuring live music, historical reenactments, and fun for all ages.
