The main attraction of the Archives is the Charters of Freedom: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These are not the original handwritten drafts, but rather the original lovely inked copies on sheepskin parchment, which ARE the originals for all intents and purposes. The real originals, the ones jotted hastily on napkins or 3-ring notebook paper probably ended up in someone's kindling basket. The nice ones are housed in the very dimly lighted Rotunda in glass cases filled with argon gas and flanked by security guards. I am not just talking burly dudes and dudettes with guns who are prepared to take down anyone who tries anything sneaky, these people are also pretty knowledgeable about what they are protecting. I did not ask them any questions, but the Boyinks did and were amazed at the wealth of information they gained.
Most museums are kept fairly cold, but not the Archives. It was toasty warm in there, so much so that I had to shed a few layers. I was glad for the right to bare arms! (hat tip: Jeff)
If you cannot ask a guard you can still get a decent history lesson. All around the Rotunda were museum-style explanation panels on the history of the three historic papers, how they came to be, who contributed to their writing and content, the science behind their careful preservation, and even some random information about how one of our founding fathers raised geese so he would always have a solid supply of good quill feathers for pens. I have found this level of extra information to be more the norm everywhere we go in Washington, which is great because it frequently spurs more interest in the topic from the kids.
In addition to the Archives' main attraction is a great exhibit hall that walks you through American history in the form of old photographs and documents. As a big Little House on the Prairie fan I was beyond excited (pretty close to "squealing like a little girl" excited) to see Charles Ingalls' homestead filing deed (finding it was a goal after a friend from back home told me it was on display here). There are also letters to and from Presidents, treaties we signed with Native Americans (and later broke -- don't get me started), drafts of inauguration speeches, and even President Kennedy's notes scratched on a legal pad during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is just plain odd some of the things our archivists thought to keep, like menus from state dinners. 'Cuz you know, someone somewhere someday might really need to know that President Nixon served up oysters and mixed salad greens to a dignitary visiting from Russia.
Anyway, if you are in DC we totally recommend several hours at the National Archives, then book it on over (har har) to the Post Office tower before the Donald turns it into a place most of us mortals cannot afford to visit. Rumor has it the new hotel will be a dead ringer for some historic building (awesome!).
-Jenni