Exhibits
Upcoming Exhibition in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery
Opens March 16, 2024
Power and Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey
On March 16, the National Archives Museum will open its doors to “Power & Light: Russell Lee’s Coal Survey.” The exhibit will feature a collection of photographs that explore the under-researched and never-before-exhibited images of those who helped build our nation post-WWII. The exhibit honors a group of Americans, more diverse than we realized, who were mostly hidden from view. Lee’s photographs invite visitors to appreciate the miners’ contributions, relate to their joys and struggles, and consider our responsibility to the wellbeing of all our citizens. The American Coal Council joins the official National Archives Foundation Russell Lee Honorary Committee along with America’s Power and other prominent organizations, members of congress, and leaders in support of this exhibition.
Power & Light: Russell Lee’s Coal Survey is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of The Mars Family & Mars, Incorporated and Anonymous.
For more information on the exhibition or how to sponsor programming related to the exhibition please email jim.doumas@archivesfoundation.org.
Upcoming Renovation
The National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is redesigning its permanent galleries, learning center, and theater. To prepare the new spaces, the Boeing Learning Center closed to the public on June 15, 2023 and the Public Vaults exhibition closed on July 5, 2023. The National Archives Rotunda—home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—will remain open during the renovation. The Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, and the National Archives Store will also remain open. For more information, click here.
This once-in-a-generation renovation is scheduled to be completed in summer 2025 and will be part of the Archives’ celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence the following year.
Past Featured Exhibits
All American: The Power of Sports
The exhibition showcased more than 75 items, including original records, artifacts, and photographs exploring the athletes who have shaped American identity. Read more
Records of Rights
In “Records of Rights,” explore how generations of Americans sought to fulfill the promise of the founding documents. The David M. Rubenstein Gallery exhibition showcases original and facsimile National Archives documents and uses an innovative 17-foot-long touch-screen interactive table to illustrate how Americans have debated about… Read more
Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the National Archives launched a nationwide initiative and major exhibition that explores the… Read more
Remembering Vietnam
The Vietnam War impacted attitudes, policies and the way Americans view their government and their nation’s place in the world. It altered the way the government conducts war and interacts with the media. And yet, more than 50 years since the U.S. committed combat troops… Read more
Amending America
Only 27 times—out of more than 11,000 proposals—have Americans reached consensus to amend the Constitution.
It is difficult—but not impossible—to turn an idea into an amendment. So few amendments have been successful because our Constitution sets a high bar to pass amendments. So, what kinds of proposals… Read more
Spirited Republic: Alcohol in American History
“Spirited Republic” is the National Archives Museum’s latest special exhibition, and explores the role of the government and alcohol in American society.
Dating back to the documents listing the wine that Lewis & Clark took on their expedition — and the spirits George Washington and his generals… Read more
