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| Brooklyn Robbins with Archivist David S. Ferriero |
Washington, D.C…. The National Archives welcomed its millionth visitor for Fiscal Year 2011 on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.
Second grader Brooklyn Robbins, from Cordova, Tennessee, was warmly greeted by Archivist David S. Ferriero. Expressing
surprise as the person reaching this milestone, Brooklyn beamed with
pride and said this was a visit she would always remember. This was
Brooklyn’s first visit to the National Archives.
Large
numbers of visitors come to the National Archives each year to see the
Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, the Public Vaults exhibition,
programs and films in the William G. McGowan Theater, and changing
exhibits in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery.
The
National Archives Experience is made possible by a public/private
partnership between the National Archives and Records Administration and
the Foundation for the National Archives, which is the private sector
partner that supports the creation of new exhibitions and educational
programs and resources:
Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom
“The
Charters of Freedom: Our Nation’s Founding Documents” exhibit takes a
fresh look at the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the
Bill of Rights and uses facsimiles of historical documents from the
holdings of the National Archives to answer two key questions about each
Charter -- “How did it happen?” and “Why is it important?” The new exhibit is an attempt to answer questions visitors often ask when see the Charters.
Surrounding
the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom’s centerpiece cases holding the
Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights,
highlights of the new exhibition include “Secrets of the Documents” and
special quotes from the Founding Fathers.
Public Vaults Exhibition
The
Public Vaults exhibition brings visitors beyond the Rotunda and creates
the feeling of entering the stacks and vaults of the National Archives. Containing
over 1,100 records and 22 state-of-the-art interactive stations, the
exhibition shows the raw materials from which history is made, while
also relaying compelling personal stories of both our nation’s leaders
and “ordinary” Americans.
William G. McGowan Theater
The elegant William G. McGowan Theater is a centerpiece of the National Archives Experience. By day the McGowan Theater continuously shows the 11-minute introductory film “Democracy Starts Here.” By
night, this theater has become one of the nation’s leading centers for
documentary film and a forum for programs that explore American history,
democracy and government.
Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery
The Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery is a 3,000 square-foot gallery for special and traveling exhibitions at the National Archives. Exhibitions
in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery explore newsworthy and timely
themes, issues, events, and turning points in our nation’s history. The current exhibition, What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?, explores the Government’s effect on the American diet. Visitors
can unearth the stories and personalities behind the increasingly
complex programs and legislation that affect what Americans eat. There are over 100 original records in the exhibit—including folk songs, war posters, educational films, and even seed packets. The
exhibition, which is free and open to the public, runs through January
3, 2012, in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery of the National Archives
Building. For information on “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” see http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/whats-cooking. What's
Cooking, Uncle Sam? is made possible in part by the Foundation for the
National Archives with support from Mars Incorporated and Mars Food.
The Archives Shop
Visitors
have one last important stop to make before they leave – a special shop
where they can purchase some treasures of their own. Archives Shop sales have far exceeded initial projections. By far, the most popular items are reproductions of the Charters of Freedom.
Information and Hours:
The National Archives Experience is free and open to the public. The National Archives building is located between 7th and 9th Streets, NW on Constitution Avenue. Metro stop: Archives/Navy Memorial. For information on individual and group tours see: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/visit/visit_groups.html
