Design For Democracy : 200 Years of Drawings from the National Archives
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First Designs: Symbols and Substance
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Many pressing challenges faced by the United States of America are reflected in early designs. When enemies and pirates attacked American merchant ships, Congress authorized funds for warships. Ship designers and builders responded with swift, maneuverable, and well-armed vessels to protect essential trade and American citizens. Guarding against a land invasion, military engineers designed, updated, and repaired fortifications along vulnerable borders. Later, the outbreak of the Civil War saw the Union and the Confederacy competing for the best design in new weapons. To support settlements and the development of valuable resources, engineers designed bridges, canals, and other means of transportation to connect the remote inland areas with coastal ports. Surveyors and architects worked on designs for the capital city and for public buildings. In addition to these practical projects, the Government encouraged the invention of national symbols and emblems to establish the American identity and encourage patriotism.

Building the Federal Navy  
Drawing of the Hull for the U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Congress
Drawing of the Hull for the U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Congress

Nicholas King`s Wharfing Plans, Washington, D.C.
"Plan of the City of Washington Exhibiting the water lots and Water Street along the Potomack [sic] from 23rd to 20th Streets west."

"Plan of the City of Washington Exhibiting the water lots and Water Street along..."
"Plan of Washington Exhibiting Water Street on the Eastern Branch"

Drawing of the Hull for the U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Congress

Latrobe`s Fort Nelson, Virginia 		 
"Plan of Fort Nelson, in Virginia, showing the exact state of the Works in July, 1798"

"Plan of Fort Nelson, in Virginia, showing the exact state of the Works in July, 1798"
"Design for Completing Fort Nelson, Virginia"

"Design for Completing Fort Nelson, Virginia"

Proposed Castle, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina 		 
"Plan of A Projected Castle for Charleston Harbor, So. Carolina"

Drawing of the Hull for the U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Congress

Poussin`s Fortifications 		 
"Plan Projected for a Cooperation of Defense of the Mississippi with Ft. St. Philip"

Drawing of the Hull for the U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Congress
"Projected Forts on the Middle Ground and East Bank for the defence [sic] of the Channel at Sandy Hook"

Drawing of the Hull for the U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Congress

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Citations for left side images:
Drawing of the Hull for the U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Congress
Designed by Joshua Humphreys and Josiah Fox, et al., 1795
Pencil and ink on paper
14" x 18"
National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the Bureau of Ships

"Metinicus [sic] Light House"
Designed by Alexander Parris
Drawn by Brown and Hastings, engineers, March 28, 1848
Watercolor on paper
18 1/2" x 22 3/4"
National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

Sketch for the Great Seal of the United States
By Francis Hopkinson, May 10, 1780
Pencil and ink on paper
7 3/8" x 6 3/8"
National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention

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