See National Treasure Where it Started - the National Archives
Press Release · Thursday, November 14, 2019

Washington, DC

Celebrate the 15th anniversary of blockbuster film National Treasure where it all started, the National Archives!  Join us Thursday evening, November 21, for a special screening of the film (doors open at 6:15 pm; film will begin at 7:15 pm.  The film will be introduced by Charles Segars, National Treasure executive producer and writer. Come dressed as your favorite National Treasure character!  There will be activities for the entire family, including the chance to try deciphering historical riddles, just like Ben Gates. 

The event is free and open to the public and will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW.  Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station. This event has reached its capacity. Click here to join our waitlist.  

Fifteen years ago this month, Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) launched his search for the legendary Knights Templar treasure.  His treasure hunt included a stop at the National Archives, where he stole one of our true National Treasures—the Declaration of Independence!  

National Treasure’s November 2004 release put the National Archives on the map for the now-millennial generation.  The Museum’s annual attendance jumped 40 percent, largely due to visits by National Treasure fans wondering if there’s really a treasure map on the back of the Declaration.  National Archives Historian Jessie Kratz tells all in this video, What's Really on the Back of the Declaration of Independence?