Bathed in the soft glow of dusk, the monumental facade of the National Archives Building stands as a stoic guardian of American democracy. Located on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., this neoclassical temple houses some of the nation’s most treasured documents—including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
This image captures the building’s north-facing entrance, with its grand portico of Corinthian columns and richly sculpted pediment. The pediment relief, The Recorder of the Archives, was designed by James Earle Fraser and depicts the personification of History surrounded by figures representing national progress and wisdom. Beneath the pediment, the inscription reads: The ties that bind the lives of our people in one indissoluble union are perpetuated in the archives of the nation.
The architecture, designed by John Russell Pope and completed in 1935, draws inspiration from classical Greek and Roman civic buildings—symbols of republican ideals and enduring authority. Pope’s design emphasizes symmetry, permanence, and reverence, echoing the building's solemn purpose: to preserve and make accessible the foundational records of American governance.
At twilight, the light softens the stone, emphasizing the sculptural depth of the columns and frieze while casting a serene mood across the facade. The visual harmony of form, scale, and symbolism makes the National Archives one of the most iconic civic structures on the National Mall.
HABS Architectural Survey Standard:
Documented according to standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS):
Structure Name: National Archives Building
Location: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW / Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Style: Neoclassical
Date of Construction: 1931–1935
Architect: John Russell Pope
HABS Reference Number: DC-138