Historic Documents Embark on 250th Anniversary Tour Across U.S.

Rare documents like the Treaty of Paris and Articles of Association will be displayed at museums nationwide.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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As part of the United States' 250th anniversary celebration, some of the country's most important historical documents, including the 1783 Treaty of Paris and 1774 Articles of Association, are embarking on a first-of-its-kind journey across the nation. Typically housed in highly controlled vaults at the National Archives, these documents signed by George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and other revolutionary leaders will be put on display for free at local museums in cities like Kansas City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and more.

Why it matters

This rare public display of tangible American history is intended to inspire and educate citizens about the country's founding as it marks a major milestone. The documents' cross-country tour is part of broader 250th anniversary commemoration efforts, including mobile museums, a story collection initiative, and special events like the 'Patriot Games' sporting event.

The details

The documents, which include a rare 1823 engraving of the Declaration of Independence and handwritten notes on the U.S. Constitution, will be transported on a Boeing 737 'Freedom Plane' that departs from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Monday. The first stop is the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, where over 5,000 schoolchildren have already booked visits to see the historic artifacts.

  • The documents' tour begins on Monday, March 2, 2026.
  • The documents will be on display at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City starting on Friday, March 6, 2026.

The players

National Archives

The U.S. government agency responsible for preserving and displaying the country's most important historical documents, including the ones embarking on this 250th anniversary tour.

America 250

A congressionally chartered commission coordinating events and activities to mark the United States' 250th anniversary.

Freedom 250

A White House-led initiative also coordinating 250th anniversary commemoration efforts, which has faced some criticism for overlapping with the America 250 commission.

National WWI Museum and Memorial

The museum in Kansas City, Missouri that will host the first stop of the historic documents' tour.

Matt Naylor

The president and CEO of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, who expressed excitement about hosting the rare documents.

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What they’re saying

“It's tangible history, and tangible history inspires. These documents have not traveled, and they've certainly not traveled collectively, ever. They are here in vaults.”

— Jim Byron, Senior Adviser to the Acting Archivist of the United States

“The reality that these documents are leaving D.C. and coming to the heartland is fantastic. There's a lot of excitement about that and a lot of talk in and around the city about what that means.”

— Matt Naylor, President and CEO, National World War I Museum and Memorial

What’s next

The 'Freedom Plane' is scheduled to make stops in cities across the country, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, Miami, Dearborn, Michigan, and Seattle over the coming months.

The takeaway

This unprecedented public display of America's founding documents underscores the significance of the country's 250th anniversary and the continued importance of preserving and sharing the nation's history with citizens across the United States.