Historic US Documents Begin 250th Anniversary Tour
A selection of major historical documents signed by George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin have begun a cross-country exhibition tour in celebration of America's upcoming 250th anniversary. The nationwide initiative brings foundational texts to new audiences across the country. Pittsburgh's Fort Pitt Museum has also unveiled "Pittsburgh's Revolution" exhibit highlighting the city's role in America's founding era.
The nationwide tour, officially named the "Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation," is inspired by the Bicentennial's "Freedom Train" that toured the country in 1975-76. This modern version will see a Boeing 737, dubbed the "Freedom Plane," transport the historic artifacts to eight cities between March and August 2026. For the first time, a unique collection of original documents from the National Archives will travel together across the country. Among the items on tour are the 1783 Treaty of Paris which formally ended the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Association of 1774 that organized a boycott of British goods, and a rare 1823 engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence. The tour is a collaboration between the National Archives and the National Archives Foundation, with support from corporate sponsors. Admission to view the documents will be free to the public at all eight museum venues, which include stops in Kansas City, MO, Atlanta, GA, Los Angeles, CA, and Seattle, WA. The national celebration, branded as America250, is a multi-year effort organized by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. The initiative aims to engage all Americans through various programs, including story collection initiatives and educational projects, leading up to the 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. In Pittsburgh, the "Pittsburgh's Revolution" exhibit at the Fort Pitt Museum highlights the city's role as the western headquarters for the Continental Army. The exhibit, which opened on March 1, 2026, features rare artifacts like the Westmoreland Battalion Flag, which predates the Stars and Stripes and bears the motto "Don't tread on me." Other significant items on display in Pittsburgh include a letter from Founding Father Patrick Henry about the strategic importance of defending Fort Pitt and a trunk used to secretly transport money to pay American soldiers at the fort. The museum also plans to open another exhibit in June 2026 focusing on the unique weapons and tactics of the 18th-century frontier.
