National Archives Museum

The museum & the collection

The National Archives Museum in Washington DC houses the original documents and objects that represent the foundational narrative of the American republic. Its reimagined Signature Gallery brings visitors face to face with founding texts and historic records as part of a major permanent exhibition redesign.

Over forty original artifacts and documents reveal defining moments in the nation’s history. Among them are William Stone’s rare 1823 engraving of the Declaration of Independence, the Louisiana Purchase, pioneering patents for Velcro, the artificial heart and the Zamboni, and an evocative selection of presidential state gifts. 

Meyvaert’s showcases were designed to secure the long-term preservation and protection of these exceptional artifacts and to achieve a precise integration into an experience designed in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The assignment & the challenges

Meyvaert was appointed first for a design-assistance phase and then for full fabrication of the showcases. The brief called for a custom suite of table cases and wall-mounted showcases, which had to be integrated into D&P’s setworks and base structures, and accommodate case lighting and other case internals such as reader rails and build ups by other contractors.
From the outset, the National Archives imposed exacting conservation requirements and strict material guidelines. Star objects, including the Declaration of Independence copper plate and loaned print, required specific conservation care that further narrowed the palette of approved materials and finishes.

The building itself introduced additional architectural constraints. A raised floor with many cables and services underneath limited conventional floor anchoring methods, and the extended logistical route from the loading dock through basement corridors and elevators meant we had to limit the size and weight of case sections brought on site.

The solutions & the result

Intensive coordination throughout the design-assist phase aligned showcase proportions, sightlines and opening mechanisms with the exhibition design and day-to-day operations. This achieved precision integration of recessed wall and table cases into the surrounding setworks, incorporating focused lighting that illuminates the collection without visual intrusion.

All internal materials selected were conservation-grade and successfully passed NARA’s rigorous Oddy testing protocol. Our engineering team developed a custom layered panel solution, with a protected barrier, a soft foam object-mounting layer, and a final fabric wrap to ensure a smooth, elegant display surface. Where conventional anchoring was impossible, our development team engineered special floor anchors together with D&P that accommodated the raised floor and underfloor services. To prepare for transport, we first precisely surveyed the complex access route and used these measurements to define the maximum size of pre-assembled elements, allowing us to maximise factory assembly while eliminating on-site risk. 

The result is a suite of discreet yet high-performance showcases that bring foundational documents and emblematic objects of the American story within close view, delivering the National Archives’ complete mandate for long-term preservation, physical protection, and sustained operational excellence.

“It looks amazing! It’s been such a pleasure to work with you all! Thank you for the collaboration and patience, the hard work and skills you brought to the table, and the incredible design and execution.”

– Joan Rustad-Kennedy (Project Manager at D&P)