OPENING THE VAULT
THE TRAVELING DOCUMENTS HAVE LEFT, BUT THE DIGITAL VAULT IS OPEN!
Explore the online story here.
To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum proudly presented an incomparable exhibition of rare documents that helped shaped our nation and the world.
Drawing historic crowds to the museum, Opening the Vault examined the ideals, conflicts and turning points that define the American experience.
Featuring historic documents on loan from the National Archives—many never viewed outside Washington, D.C.—this exhibition traced how the nation’s founding principles have been tested, challenged and expanded over 250 years.
If you missed the traveling exhibition, it’s not too late to explore the digital vault. Keep scrolling to explore landmark documents that reveal a dynamic democracy, reminding us that America’s story is still being written…by each one of us.
EXHIBIT TRAILER
Award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author David Von Drehle offers an overview of Opening the Vault.
This is a “once-in-a-lifetime encounter with nearly two dozen of the most important, most revealing, most consequential documents in U.S. history. The same pages you’ll see at the Truman Library once crossed the desks of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln. The story feels alive in their presence.”
–David Von Drehle
Award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author
OPEN THE VAULT ON YOUTUBE
In about 75 seconds, learn more about each democracy-defining document featured in Opening the Vault. Follow our Discovery Series on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, or subscribe to the series on YouTube.
The Great Seal
Louisiana Purchase
Bill of Rights (Senate Revisions)
Treaty of Paris (Broadside)
Plessy v. Ferguson
Brown v. Board of Education
And more…
EXHIBIT COMPANION GUIDE
The exhibit companion guide is designed to help students and lifelong learners, alike, explore the documents featured in Opening the Vault: The Story of US. These extraordinary primary sources invite us to explore major themes—liberty, equality, justice and democracy—in order to build connections between the voices and decisions of the past and the civic principles that continue to shape our society.
America250 initiatives are made possible, in part, by generous support from members, donors and America250 underwriters, including:
William T. Kemper Foundation – Commerce Bank, Trustee
Mary Kay and Brad Speaks
Missouri Humanities and the Missouri Humanities Trust Fund
JE Dunn Construction
Kansas City Royals Foundation
Mary and R. James Stilley, Jr.
Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts – Commerce Bank, Trustee
Your contribution is a gift to America’s future.