National Archives Announces New Ban on Photography (2024)

FAQs

Why is there no photography in the National Archives? ›

The primary impetus for the new regulation was concern that the Charters of Freedom (the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights) and other original documents on display in the National Archives Experience were at risk from exposure to flash photography.

Yes! Non-flash photography is encouraged in all public areas of the National Archives Museum unless otherwise posted. We encourage you to share your photographs online and tag us @USNatArchives. Find facsimiles in the Archives Store in the museum or online.

Entry to the National Archives is free. Reservations are not required for individuals or groups wishing to enter the National Archives Museum through the General Public Entrance, but reservations are strongly suggested between March and Labor Day to avoid potentially long lines outside.

One of the most requested photographs at the U.S. National Archives is an iconic photo of President Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley meeting at the White House in 1970. Recently, this photograph has become more available to the public on our online research catalog, ARC, as well as through our photostream on Flickr.com.

The National Archives museum houses billions of letters, photographs, video and audio recordings, drawings, maps, posters, treaties and a ton more. Everything preserved in the National Archives documents the stories of America's history, as a nation and as a people.

The answer is simply what you will wear or pack in your luggage when you're heading there. The National Institutions in D.C., much like the Capitol or National Archives, do not have a very strict dress code to follow. This is true especially if you are just there as a tourist looking around and visiting the place.

Firearms and other projectile weapons; bladed, edged, or sharp tools or implements; club-like items and striking devices; destructive devices, explosives or combustible chemical compounds and mixtures; disabling chemicals and other dangerous items; tools of the trade; and sporting equipment.

You no longer need to book a visit to use our reading rooms, but we strongly encourage it to ensure that you have a seat.

The most requested photograph from the National Archives is a black and white image of Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley shaking hands.

What is the most important document in American history? ›

U.S. Constitution

The Constitution of the United States set up the foundation of the U.S. government, including its purpose and structure. The Constitutional Convention adopted the Constitution on September 17, 1787.

In an effort to safeguard the original record copies of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the National Archives has decided to ban all photography in the Rotunda, where the historical documents are displayed.

The Public Records Act 1967 and the 30-year access rule

In 1967 it was decided to reduce the 50 year closure period to 30 years. This allowed records relating to the First World War and those created before 1923 to be available for public inspection. An amending Public Records Act took effect on 1 January 1968.

The National Archives museum is a must museum when you are in Washington D.C. It is home to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. You can see these three important documents in Rotunda. We had to book a time slot ticket in advance. And you are not allowed to take photos inside.

Ensuring more people can visit safely and have a good experience boosts revenue. It also reduces a museum's insurance costs since some photographers go through incredible contortions, like hanging off of balconies, to capture the right shot. Lowering the chance of injury makes a museum cheaper to run.

The National Archives does not grant exclusive or non-exclusive publication privileges. Copies of Federal records, as part of the public domain, are equally available to all. A small percentage of photographs in our holdings are or may be subject to copyright restrictions.

Since the 1950s, if you wanted a picture of yourself standing next to the original Declaration of Independence, all you had to do was this: Go to the rotunda of the National Archives here in Washington, stand in line, say cheese, snap a picture, just keep your flash off.

Anyone can use the National Archives. You do not need to be an American citizen or to present credentials or a letter of recommendation.