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Preserving the Past

Historical Documents

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Since the 1950s, NIST has been called upon to keep some of our most cherished documents safe, secure and available for public viewing within encasements that are truly technological wonders. 

Using Science to Preserve America’s Founding Documents

A man looking at the Declaration of Independence in its NIST-designed and manufactured encasement
A visitor to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., views the Declaration of Independence safe within its NIST-designed and manufactured encasement.
Credit: National Archives and Records Administration

Guaranteeing a Long Lifetime for ‘America’s Birth Certificate’

The Waldseemüller Map in the NIST-built encasement at the Library of Congress
The Waldseemüller Map on display at the Library of Congress within its NIST-built protective encasement.
Credit: Library of Congress

How a State-of-the-Art Case Saved the Magna Carta

Photo of the Magna Carta on display at NARA
The 1297 Magna Carta on display at the National Archives in its NIST-designed and machined encasement.
Credit: National Archives and Records Administration

The Emancipation Proclamation’s Custom Case Saves Document for the Future

scientist installing Emancipation Proclamation
Mechanical engineer Jacob Ricker preparing the NIST encasements housing the Emancipation Proclamation (left) and the 13th Amendment (right) before final installation in their new home at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Credit: C. Suplee/NIST

 

 

 

Manufacturing and Machining
Created June 19, 2017, Updated July 17, 2025
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