National Archives

Filmmaker Ken Burns calls this building “our national attic.” In addition to housing America’s Charters of Freedom—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights—it contains 9 billion historical records, including scientific documents, patents and family histories. A visit here starts with a short, well-done film about the practical applications of the archives, including how they were used to break the Nazi-gold story a few years ago. The Big Three are housed in the rotunda, where they are kept under low light for preservation; be prepared for a long line if you want to see them up close. There are also interesting exhibits, including letters from ordinary Americans to government officials. My favorite: a missive from a man returning $1 in cash to the Treasury to make up for an extra loaf of bread he took as a soldier during the Civil War thirty-six years earlier. The Archives make a wonderful pair with the Newseum.