Boeing announced:
As the National Archives Freedom Plane Tour comes to a close, the team reflects on an extraordinary journey that brought history to life during America’s 250th anniversary.
Catch up quick: Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the Freedom Plane tour launched on March 2, making original founding-era documents accessible to Americans across the country. This unprecedented tour was more than a series of events—it was a nationwide tribute to the enduring spirit of freedom and the founding principles of America.
National Archives Freedom Plane Tour Recap Video
The 2026 National Archives Freedom Plane Tour, in honor of America’s 250th, is showcased in this recap video. Play Video
Watch a recap of the National Archives Freedom Plane National Tour. (© Ben Applebaum photo)
Boeing Backs America: Behind the scenes, hundreds of Boeing employees contributed to the success of the eight-city tour. The tour required precise planning and employees from every business unit across the company played an integral role. The impeccable care and secure transport of these treasured artifacts highlighted Boeing’s unwavering commitment—not only to safety, quality and aerospace excellence but also to supporting the country, uplifting America’s history, and engaging communities in meaningful ways.
By the numbers:
6
Months on tour
8
Freedom Plane tour cities
9
Original Founding-era documents
12,960
Miles the Freedom Plane traveled
30
Boeing flight crew employees who supported
77
Military members who supported arrival events
Over 100,000
Visitors who viewed the documents on tour
What they’re saying:
- “As we close out the Freedom Plane tour, I couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and expertise our Boeing team brought to this historic mission,” said Jeff Shockey, executive vice president of Boeing Government Operations, Global Public Policy & Corporate Strategy. “Supporting the preservation and celebration of the country’s founding documents during its 250th anniversary was an honor and a powerful reminder of the many ways Boeing Backs America.”
- “The Boeing Company is one of those iconic, great American brands who has been a partner of the National Archives and National Archives Foundation for more than two decades,” said Patrick Madden, CEO of the National Archives Foundation. “Boeing employees can take pride in this special partnership, and I share our gratitude for this deep commitment to America’s history.”
What’s next? On Aug. 17, the Freedom Plane returned to Washington, D.C. with the nine original Founding-era documents, which are now tucked away from public view. To safeguard these irreplaceable Founding-era documents for future generations, the National Archives limits their exposure to very low light levels. As a general rule, these documents receive no more than 365 days of low-light exposure spread out over a ten-year period and are stored in dark vaults the remaining time.
The tour commenced on March 2 in Washington, D.C. where the documents were loaded and then transported to Kansas City, Missouri for the first leg of the tour.
Left to right, Jim Byron, former Senior Advisor to the Archivist of the United States, The Honorable Monica Crowley, Chief of Protocol of the United States, Jeff Shockey, executive vice president of Boeing Government Operations, Global Public Policy & Corporate Strategy, Patrick Madden, CEO of the National Archives Foundation. (© Ben Applebaum)