DEARBORN, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Seeing America’s founding documents in person isn’t something most Americans ever get to do. That’s why hundreds of people each hour have been filing through the Freedom Plane exhibit – not just to glimpse history, but to reconnect with it.
The traveling exhibit, the Freedom Plane National Tour, was organized by the National Archives and Records Administration in partnership with the National Archives Foundation as part of the Freedom 250 celebration. And from July 9 to 26, some of America’s most important founding documents were in Dearborn at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.
Some of the documents exhibited included the Original Engraving of the Declaration of Independence (1823), the Articles of Association (1774), The Senate markup of the Bill of Rights (1789) and the tally of votes approving the Constitution (1787).
The tour started out in Kansas City, MO and moved on to Atlanta, GA; Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Miami, FL; Dearborn, MI and is now in Seattle, WA from July 30 through August 16 for the final stop on its nationwide tour.
What the visitors had to say.
While waiting in line to see the documents, Michigan News Source contributor Miranda Wellman spoke with fellow visitors about why they came and whether they still believe in the vision America’s Founders had for the country.
Every person she asked answered with an emphatic “Yes” or “100%” when asked whether they still believe in that vision. Before long, conversations about patriotism broke out among strangers waiting together.
Jason Hill, who attended with his teenage daughter, said seeing the documents was important because “it is part of our national history, our heritage.” He also offered extra tickets to people waiting without reservations, a small act of generosity that left an impression.
Wellman said it reminded her that “America is full of good people willing to do good deeds.”
MORE NEWS: American Heart Association Confirms Grand Haven Family Killer Was Former Employee
Katrina Evans said the documents carry even greater significance during America’s 250th anniversary celebration. “The original documents have historical value with 250 years being this year more so,” she said, adding that it was especially important for her adult son to experience them firsthand.
June Longfellow, who attended with the assistance of a cane, said she likely would never have had another opportunity to see the documents. “They are so important to Americans,” she said. Her son, James Conner, agreed, calling the exhibit “an important piece of American history” that was worth driving 40 minutes to see.
Protecting history: why these documents spend more time in the dark than the light.
Behind the scenes, tour guide “Chris” explained the extraordinary effort required to preserve the collection. He said it has been 37 years since all of the documents were displayed together, and after this exhibit they will be returned to secure storage for approximately 10 years to help preserve them.
Staff carefully monitor how long the documents remain exposed to light, recording when they are “on” display and limiting viewing time each day. Security is equally strict, with cameras, guards, and rules prohibiting food, drinks, flash photography, touching the display cases or leaning on the glass. About 200 visitors per hour have been touring the exhibit.
A renewed sense of patriotism.
For Wellman, the experience became about more than viewing historic documents. It was about being with a community of patriots who understood the importance of the documents.
She said, “Everyone seemed very happy to be there. I overheard parents discussing the importance of what they were about to see and giving highlights of what July 4th meant. About Freedom. The birth of our nation.”
Wellman continued, “For me personally it was an eye-opening moment. A chance to restore faith in the citizens that I share this country with. It is so easy to be disheartened with the day to day talk of war, socialism looming, and the hassle of just trying to keep the glory of Old Glory alive. I am proud to be an American and I was thrilled to see that so many others agree that the vision for this beautiful land is still something to believe in.”
