America’s Freedom Plane Takes Flight

The Freedom Plane parked at Reagan National at the start of its historic mission to carry U.S. founding-era documents -- together for the first time -- to eight U.S. cities. (Photo: National Archives)
The Freedom Plane parked at Reagan National at the start of its historic mission to carry U.S. founding-era documents -- together for the first time -- to eight U.S. cities. (Photo: National Archives)

“I have blessed houses. I have blessed babies. I have blessed animals. I have never blessed an airplane,” said Reverend Robert Fisher, Rector of Washington, DC’s St. John’s Episcopal Church. 

With the Reverend’s prayer for “good weather and fair winds for the flight ahead,” and following remarks by dignitaries, the National Archive’s Freedom Plane took off on its initial trip from the Coast Guard Hangar at Reagan Washington National Airport. As part of America’s Freedom 250 celebration. The Freedom Plane, dubbed “Archive One,” will ferry national treasures to eight U.S. cities where they will be on display in prominent museums free to the public. 

He offered his blessing for the safety of the crew and those supporting a journey across America in a specially outfitted Boeing 737-7BC airplane carrying nine priceless historic documents from our nation’s founding era. 

Among the documents are an original engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence, George Washington’s Oath of Allegiance to the United States, the Treaty of Paris that formally recognized the independence of the new American nation, and a secret copy of the U.S. Constitution in draft form.

U.S. Coast Guardsmen begin carrying U.S. national treasures to the Freedom Plane on March 2 at DCA. This is the first time ever these documents have left the National Archives together. (Photo: FAA)
U.S. Coast Guardsmen begin carrying U.S. national treasures to the Freedom Plane on March 2 at DCA. This is the first time ever these documents have left the National Archives together. (Photo: FAA)

“This is a once in a generation, maybe even a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Jim Byron, the senior advisor to the Archivist of the United States. “This is the only time that these documents have left the National Archives together for the first time in history. You're not going to get another opportunity to see this, to get right up close and personal to these documents that have forged our nation.” 

U.S. Coast Guardsmen carry U.S. founding-era documents to the Freedom Plane at Reagan National on March 2. (Photo: FAA)
U.S. Coast Guardsmen carry U.S. founding-era documents to the Freedom Plane at Reagan National on March 2. (Photo: FAA)

Byron noted the significance that the documents, some of which were last transported around the country on horseback, or on the American Freedom Train in 1976, are now being ferried by the form of transportation pioneered by Americans. 

“It goes back to the Wright brothers and their invention ...  Could they imagine that their invention is being used to transport documents that predated them by 130 years? All around the country to celebrate the 250th. It really is terrific.” He added, “We're grateful to the FAA for their help, and their partnership in helping this freedom plane come to life.”

Joe Seymour, the Freedom Plane’s pilot, is proud that his children and grandparents, including his Korean War-veteran grandfather, will be able to follow the Freedom Plane’s flight path. 

“I felt the impact walking up to the airplane this morning thinking about these national treasures,” he said. “You look at the names that are on these documents George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton. So, it's more exciting and humbling, a privilege and certainly an honor.”

“This may be one of the coolest things I've ever done,” said Freedom Plane co-pilot Tim Sorrells, an Air Force veteran. “Being a proud military veteran, being able to fly around these founding documents is just an amazing opportunity that not everybody gets. I realize how special this is and how honored I am.” 

Befitting their status as national treasures, the documents are not being stowed in overhead compartments or in the aircraft’s cargo hold. They are placed in specially designed cases at the back of the passenger area and are monitored at all times by expert preservationists from the National Archives. A special Coast Guard honor guard carefully carried the documents onto the Freedom Plane while bagpipers energetically played music from the Revolutionary War period.

Boeing Executive Vice President Jeff Shockey said the company chose a 737 as its contribution to the National Archive’s mission, “because of the important role it has played in aviation history. It’s the plane that helped make air travel more affordable and accessible, not only for Americans but for billions of people across generations, cultures and continents.”

The Freedom Plane approaches Reagan National where it began its historic tour on March 2 and is now heading to a city near you. (Photo: National Archives)
The Freedom Plane approaches Reagan National where it began its historic tour on March 2 and is now heading to a city near you. (Photo: National Archives)

Following its visit to Kansas City, MO, the “Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation” exhibition will visit the following cities:

To sign up for tickets go to freedomplane.org. 

Throughout the year, we will continue to recognize America's aviation heroes and heritage in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and highlight great aviation milestones as we look forward to aviation's promising future.

Last updated: Friday, March 6, 2026