Great Seal of the United States Ongoing Exhibit … On July 4, 1776, just hours after adopting the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress tasked Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams with creating a national seal. As members of the First Great Seal Committee, each man proposed designs for a national emblem that reflected the independence and aspirations of the new nation. The task proved difficult, and ultimately it took more than three committees and six years to complete the …

The American Story Current Exhibit … An American History Experience Like No Other Now Open Beginning November 21, 2025, the National Archives Museum debuted a once-in-a generation redesign of its permanent exhibits: The American Story and the Discovery Center - connecting visitors with the National Archives in revolutionary ways. The American Story showcases items and records in the National Archives that tell important moments in our nation's history. Visitors will get up close to more than 40 original …