Adventures of a Quantum Cowboy

…in fact I really enjoyed myself. The goal was initially to hit the National Museum of American History, but unfortunately that was closed for renovation until “Fall 2008″. Oh well… maybe next time. I walked down the mall, past the National Museum of Natural History (thought about ducking in there too), through some lovely gardens (separate post pending) and saw the Archives across the way. Envisioning miles of dusty boxes guarded by marines (or perhaps that secret government warehouse in Indiana Jones), I at first shrugged it off as a possible tourist destination. I was strolling past it with my eye on a coffee shop down the way when a sign caught my eye.

“Discover your National Archives Experience!”

To which I responded (in my head of course), “quoi?“.  Enlightened by the sign to the fact that the Archives do indeed welcome visitors, I proceeded to the public entrance, and entered… I was extremely impressed.

After the usual monument rigamarole of the security screen, visitors are provided with several locations within the National Archives and Records Adminstration to explore.  The most visited is the Rotunda, a cathedral-like chamber housing the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.  With majestic carpeting and towering paintings that depict the founding fathers adorning the sides of the domed room, the Rotunda lends itself very easily to projecting a state of awe.

In the gallery area, there are many interactive displays about various events in U.S. history, grouped by themes found in the Constitution (”provide for the common defense,” etc).  I explored many displays on the revolution, the civil war, civil rights, watergate… actually quite exciting for a history buff!

There is also a film theater underground that plays various videos on U.S. history and democracy, and a gift shop.  I picked up copies of “Jefferson’s Bible”, and “Von Braun,” the latter a biography about the brilliant German-turned-American rocket engineer who help architect the U.S. space program.

All in all, a thoroughly fascinating visit… highly recommended for any history buff, or anyone with an interest in exploring the key documents that make up our country’s past.