This traveling exhibition featuring iconic American historical records will land in Miami this summer

Miami is about to get a front-row seat to the nation’s origin story—and not the laminated, behind-glass kind. This June, HistoryMiami Museum will host the National Archives’ “Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation,” a rare traveling exhibition that brings original founding-era records out of Washington, D.C. and into communities across the country.

The tour, which was announced by the National Archives and Records Administration, marks the United States’ 250th anniversary and nods to the Bicentennial Freedom Train of 1976. Only eight cities made the cut for 2026 and Miami is one of them. The documents will arrive—dramatically—via a specially designated aircraft on June 15, then go on view at HistoryMiami from June 20 through July 5, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend.

What’s coming with them is straight out of your high school civics textbook: the William Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence; the Articles of Association; oaths of allegiance signed by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr; the Treaty of Paris; a draft printing of the Constitution; and state delegation votes. Many of these records haven’t left D.C. in decades, making this a rare chance to see the paperwork that launched a nation.

Alongside the exhibition, the museum will debut a digital “Wishes for America” mural, inviting visitors (and anyone at home) to share hopes for the country’s next chapter. On July 4, the museum’s downtown plaza will host a free birthday party for America, complete with civic vibes and community celebration.

There’s also a future-facing component: “America 250: Voices of the Future,” a countywide high school speech contest asking Miami-Dade students to reflect on the founding ideals and what they should mean today. The winning essay will be accessioned into the museum’s permanent collection and the student will be present during official anniversary events.

“As our nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, it is deeply meaningful that Miami has been chosen as one of only eight cities,” said Daniella Levine Cava, the mayor of Miami-Dade County, pointing to the exhibition’s role in making America’s story feel shared in one of its most diverse cities.

The best part? The entire exhibition and July 4 celebration are free. History, after all, belongs to everyone.