Tips & Guidelines

Web Page
Tips & Guidelines Web Page … Entry and Wait Times Tickets are not required to visit the National Archives Museum and walk-in visitors are welcome! To ensure smooth and timely entrance into the building and enjoy the museum’s all-new personalization system, visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance of their visit.  Visitors can reserve a free, general admission ticket . Visitors can reserve a timed-entry ticket to avoid long wait times during heavy visitor traffic periods.  It can take up to an …

Tickets

Web Page
Tickets Web Page … Entry to the National Archives is free. Visitors are encouraged to reserve a free general admission ticket or a $1 timed-entry ticket to visit the museum. Tickets are not required but are recommended to improve visitor experience and leverage new personalization system throughout the museum. Advance Tickets Visitors can acquire several types of tickets to the National Archives Museum: Free general admission tickets:  reserve free tickets online here . Timed-entry tickets:  avoid long …

The American Story

Current Exhibit
The American Story Current Exhibit … An American History Experience Like No Other Now Open Beginning November 21, 2025, the National Archives Museum debuts 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 will showcase 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 …

Power & Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey

Past Exhibit
Power & Light Russell Lees Coal Survey Past Exhibit … "The Sergent family on their front porch. P V & K Coal Company, Clover Gap Mine, Lejunior, Harlan County, Kentucky."  View in National Archives Catalog Power & Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey is an exhibition of photographs of coal communities by American documentary photographer Russell Lee. These images tell the story of laborers who helped build the nation, of a moment when the government took stock of their health and safety, and of a photographer …

Visitor's Guide

Document
Charters Café Lower level Visitor’s Lower Level The CHARTERS CAFÉ offers soups, salads, sandwiches, snacks, and beverages from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. NATIONAL ARCHIVES MUSEUM Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, DC. Daily, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25). Admission Free. Visit museum.archives.gov for up-to-date hours and program information. Reservations are suggested March–Labor Day. Visit museum.archives.gov/ reservations-and-tours to …
national-archives-museum-visitor-guide.pdf

Visitor's Guide - French

Document
Charters Café Niveau inférieur William G. McGowan Theater Niveau inférieur Le CHARTERS CAFÉ propose des soupes, des salades, des sandwiches, des collations et des boissons de 10 h à 14 h 30, du lundi au vendredi. NATIONAL ARCHIVES MUSE UM Constitution Avenue, entre les 7e et 9e rues, NW, Washington, DC. Tous les jours, de 10 h à 17 h 30. (Fermé le jour de Thanksgiving et le 25 décembre). Entrée gratuite. Visitez https://museum.archives.gov/ pour obtenir les horaires et des informations sur les programmes. …
national-archives-museum-visitor-guide-french.pdf

The First National Park: Yellowstone and the Hayden Survey

Past Exhibit
The First National Park Yellowstone and the Hayden Survey Past Exhibit … In spring 1871, scientist, physician, and explorer Ferdinand V. Hayden (1829–87) prepared for an expedition in Wyoming and Montana Territories to survey the region around the Missouri, Snake, and Yellow Stone Rivers. Other expeditions into the area preceded Hayden’s, but Hayden is credited with spurring Congress to make Yellowstone the first National Park.  An experienced field scientist, he was among the first scientists to identify …

50th Anniversary of Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle

Past Exhibit
50th Anniversary of Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle Past Exhibit … An out-of-this world road trip Only July 31, 1971, almost three years to the day after Neil Armstrong’s giant leap for humankind, Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin took a spin in the first set of wheels on the Moon. The lunar roving vehicle (LRV), or “Moon buggy” as it is popularly known, was specially designed for use on the low-gravity lunar surface.  Astronauts’ bulky space suits had required them to stay close to …