National Archives Building

The National Archives Building, known informally as Archives I, is the original headquarters of the National Archives and Records Administration. It is located north of the National Mall at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C.. The Rotunda entrance is on Constitution Avenue, while the research entrance is on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Photo 75, Nov 2016

National Archives building

The National Archives Building, known informally as Archives I, is the original headquarters of the National Archives and Records Administration. It is located north of the National Mall at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C.. The Rotunda entrance is on Constitution Avenue, while the research entrance is on Pennsylvania Avenue.

It holds the original copies of the three main formative documents of the United States and its government: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It also hosts a copy of the 1297 Magna Carta confirmed by Edward I. These are displayed to the public in the main chamber of the National Archives, which is called the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. The National Archives Building also exhibits other important American historical documents such as the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, the Emancipation Proclamation, and collections of photography and other historically and culturally significant American artifacts.

Congress authorized construction in 1926. Ground was broken on September 9, 1931. President Herbert Hoover laid the cornerstone in February 1933. It was completed in 1935.

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National Archives building

Sculpture "What’s past is prologue"

Architect John Russell Pope placed four monumental statues around the National Archives Building. Each was cut from a single block of limestone weighing 125 tons.

"What’s past is prologue" is a quotation by William Shakespeare from his play The Tempest.

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National Archives building

National Archives statue "STUDY THE PAST," By Robert I. Aitken, 1933-1935.

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National Archives building

James Earl Fraser’s young female figure in "Heritage" holds a child and a sheaf of wheat in her right hand as symbols of growth and hopefulness. In her left hand she protects an urn, symbolic of the ashes of past generations. The base is inscribed, "The Heritage of the Past is the Seed that Brings Forth the Harvest of the Future." "Heritage" is on the Constitution Avenue side of the Archives Building.

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National Archives building

James Earl Fraser’s "Guardianship," on the Constitution Avenue side of the building, uses martial symbols, such as the helmet, sword, and lion skin to convey the need to protect the historical record for future generations. This sculpture is inscribed "Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty."

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National Archives building

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National Archives building

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National Archives building

Ice skating rink in front of National Archives building

Photo 99, Nov 2011

National Archives building

The National Archives Building, known informally as Archives I, is the original headquarters of the National Archives and Records Administration. It is located north of the National Mall at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C.. The Rotunda entrance is on Constitution Avenue, while the research entrance is on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Photo 103, Nov 2011

National Archives building Fraser’s "Recorder of the Archives" pediment on the Constitution Avenue side of the building is an allegorical treatment of the archival process. In it, a male figure sits upon a throne holding the keys to the Archives. He accepts and catalogs the nation's most precious documents in a large book that rests on his lap. The throne rests upon recumbent rams, which symbolize parchment. Figures nearby accept important documents for cataloging, while other groups gather less significant ones. Winged horses symbolizing inspiration stand in the background, and groups of dogs, symbols of guardianship, are at either end of the pediment.

Photo 100d, Nov 2011

National Archives building

North side

Photo 107a, Nov 2011

National Archives building

Photo 107b, Nov 2008

National Archives building

The National Archives Building is located between Seventh and Ninth Streets, NW, with entrances on Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues.

The Rotunda of the National Archives Building, displays the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence.

Photo 255, Nov 2008