Where can I see the original copy of the US Constitution

Where can I see the original copy of the US Constitution?

At the U.S. National Archives has the original copy of the US Constitution on display in Washington DC.

Each of the 13 colonies was issued their own copy of the Constitution for ratification as well as Congress. There were on the order of twenty copies claimed to exist.

The thirteen colonies consisted of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

December 7, 1787 - Delaware ratifies 30-0

December 12, 1787 - Pennsylvania ratifies 46-23

December 18, 1787 - New Jersey ratifies 38-0

January 2, 1788 - Georgia ratifies 26-0

January 9, 1788 - Connecticut ratifies 128-40

February 6, 1788 - Massachusetts ratifies 187-168

April 28, 1788 - Maryland ratifies 63-11

May 23, 1788 - South Carolina ratifies 149-73

June 21, 1788 - New Hampshire ratifies 57-47

June 25, 1788 - Virginia ratifies 89-79

July 26, 1788 - New York Ratifies 30-27

November 21, 1789 - North Carolina ratifies 194-77

May 29, 1790 - Rhode Island ratifies 34-32

Total Votes: 1071 for - 577 against

The original hand written and signed copy of the Constitution of the United States is stored at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.

The National Archives Building, the original headquarters, opened in 1935 and is informally known as Archives I. It is located north of the National Mall on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC.

The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom displays the three main formative documents of the United States and its government, the Constitution of the United States, Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. These three documents are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom.

You can also find the original a copy of the 1297 Magna Carta confirmed by Edward I.

All of the documents are stored in cases made of glass and titanium. The air in the cases is replaced with argon and water vapor. The inside of the cases are kept at a relative humidity of 40 percent to prevent drying of the sheepskin parchment that the documents are written on. Argon gas is used to prevent the oxidation damage to the material caused by oxygen in air.

All of these documents are displayed to the public.

There are a few rules though, among them flash photography of the documents is prohibited. The reasoning behind this is because over time flashes can fade the documents.

You won’t stand in lines to see individual documents (there is, however, a line to enter the rotunda) at the National Archives, and visitors can easily walk from document to document.

Other exhibits important American historical documents are also displayed at the National Archives Building such as the Louisiana Purchase and the Emancipation Proclamation. You will also find collections of photography and other historically and culturally significant American artifacts.

Where can I see the original copy of the US Constitution?

The National Archives visitor center entrance is located at:

Constitution Ave. NW {between 7th & 9th St.}

Washington, DC 20408

Admission is free.

Copy of the Constitution