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National Treasure

September 15, 2025
By Ellen Song

At the National Archives in Washington, D.C., you’ll see what might be the safest, strongest picture frames in the world. Each gold-plated case is made of a strong metal called titanium. The glass is thick enough to stop a bullet. Sensors inside detect even the slightest change in temperature and moisture. 

Why all this protection? These cases hold one of America’s greatest treasures: the U.S. Constitution. Nearly 240 years ago, the four-page document set up the national government that we still have today.

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A Plan for Government

After winning the American Revolution, the United States officially gained independence from Great Britain in 1783. It wasn’t long before America’s leaders realized that the new nation needed a strong government. In May 1787, representatives from the states gathered at a meeting called the Constitutional Convention.

They spent nearly four months writing an official plan for the U.S. government. The final version was written on parchment, a material made from animal skin. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton were among the 39 representatives who signed it on September 17. That date is known as Constitution Day. 

More than 1 million people view the U.S. Constitution at the National Archives each year.

For the People

National Archives

More than two centuries later, the Constitution is very fragile. Too much light can make the ink fade. Contact with air can damage the parchment, and even small changes in humidity can cause it to curl or tear. 

The high-tech cases at the National Archives protect the Constitution from these dangers and other threats, such as theft and natural disasters. At night, the document goes into a vault. The full security details are kept secret! 

Jessie Kratz works at the National Archives. She says these safety measures ensure that the public can see this key piece of history up close for years to come. 

“The first three words of the Constitution are ‘We the People,’” Kratz explains. “Displaying the Constitution is a reminder that everyone has a role to play in our government.”

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