“Mommy, this is what we are going to do. We are going to sleep right under the Declaration of Independence.”
My nine-year-old son had a plan. He was going to go to the National Archives museum, stake out a place in its world-famous and heavily-guarded rotunda, and roll out his sleeping bag under the Declaration of Independence display case.
And as outrageous as it might sound, he succeeded.
We were lucky enough to attend an official Archives sleepover at the National Archives museum in DC.
Two times a year, families can camp out under the stately stone dome of the National Archives rotunda. On these nights, the “cathedral of Democracy” that usually houses our nation’s charters of freedom transforms. Instead, the majestic backdrop houses laughing children and an array of colorful sleeping bags.
“You are now a part of the most exclusive club in town, those who have slept with the charters of freedom,” said David Ferriero, the Archivist of the United States, as the families gathered for the sleepover one Saturday night in February.
Ferriero himself suggested the Archives start hosting sleepovers. He likes the idea of giving kids and families a chance to have such a personal experience at the museum. He was at the Archives sleepover early Sunday morning to personally serve breakfast to the crowd. Ferriero flipped chocolate chip pancakes in an “archivist of the United States” apron. Can you get a more DC experience?
‘They discover how cool it is.’
During the Archives sleepover, children have a chance to see the charters of freedom up close. Even better, they can do so without lines or crowds. We were the only people in the rotunda when we walked in. And my son literally jumped up and down when he saw the Declaration of Independence.
For National Archives Foundation Executive Director Patrick Madden, his favorite aspect of the event is the process of discovery that kids can have when they are able to explore the museum and discover it at their own level.
“How we have shaped the program is really for them to experience and discover the Archives at their own level, instead of it just being like an adult thing, where your parents are taking you and saying, ‘You have to go see these important things,’” Madden said in an interview. “They discover over the course of the night and morning how cool it is.”
“Plus, how many people get to sleep in a museum?”
A Special Sleepover
The National Archives Foundation keeps the Archives sleepover relatively small on purpose—120 people max. That way, each person in attendance can have a personal experience at the museum.
Sleepover activities also include a scavenger hunt and a chance to look at some of the Archives’ other exhibits. Archives sleepover guests can play games and make crafts with engaging staff and volunteers. And the event includes special celebrity guest appearances from historical figures.
Many of the sleepover activities center around the push for women’s right to vote. The United States marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment this year. Suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton and abolitionist Frederick Douglass (or actors portraying them) attended the event and talked to children about the fight for freedom and equality.
Making History for Your Child
The target age group for the Archives sleepover is 8-12 year-olds. My third-grader loved it. But I could tell it would appeal to older kids too. There were many enthusiastic middle-schoolers at the event.
If anyone in your family is a history buff or a fan of the movie National Treasure, this event should go on your family bucket-list. (Yes, you can buy a copy of the Declaration of Independence in the gift shop. It may or may not have a secret map.)
Sleepover guests do get to sleep in the rotunda, where the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are regularly on display. But admittedly, we did not actually get to sleep right next to the original Declaration of Independence. The charters of freedom go into another safe storage area overnight.
Even so, it was magical to roll out our sleeping bags right next to the display case for the Declaration of Independence and gaze up at the domed ceiling and the mural with George Washington. Life and parenting in DC can be so stressful. But the pursuit of happiness felt delightfully within reach on this special night when we made history for our family.
More Family Fun at the National Archives
I have always thought of the National Archives as a field trip destination for older kids. And it is. But it is not only a field trip spot. It also has great programming for families and younger children. The next Archives sleepover is October 24-25. Additionally, the Archives regularly hosts a storytime for preschoolers, with a story and craft project kids can do. (The next one is March 18!)
Moreover, the learning center is open every day of the week, with hands-on projects, games and engaging ways for kids to learn more about history.
Check our family events guide for more fun things to do around DC!
