Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation

Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation

Author: Houston Museum of Natural Science May 19, 2026 Duration: 21:52
The Freedom Plane National Tour is making its way across the United States and has landed in Houston, Texas. These 9 historic documents that helped forge our nation as we know it will be on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science until May 25, 2026. We had the opportunity to have a delightful conversation about these documents with Freedom Plane National Tour curator, Maureen MacDonald. Enjoy!
  •  Articles of Association, 1774 - George Washington’s, Alexander Hamilton’s, and Aaron Burr’s   Oaths of Allegiance, 1778
  •  Declaration of Independence, 1823 (Original Stone Engraving)
  • Treaty of Paris, 1783 - David Brearley’s Secret Printing of the Constitution, 1787
  • Voting Record of the Constitutional Convention, showing the final vote on the Constitution, 1787
  • The Bill of Rights - Senate Revisions to the House-passed Amendments to the Constitution, 1789 
  • More info on documents https://www.hmns.org/exhibits/freedom-plane/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21342191935&gbraid=0AAAAAoQUJ1h1CYThs3v8cxtzGG3UTzSXR&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiJvQBhCYARIsAMjts3LeE3BuDJKZlhFQN866K1udNtMzW1KmMJaZvYUJbSFXaW-HAOhnFaYaAj6JEALw_wcB
The Freedom Plane National Tour is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation, through the generous support of The Boeing Company, Comcast Corporation, Microsoft, and P&G.

Additional support is provided by FedEx. 

Local support is provided by  

Lead Underwriter Sarofim Foundation  

Major Corporate Underwriter Coca-Cola

Additional support is provided by the Laurie and Reed Morian Foundation, David DeVido, Marli Andrade and Alfred C. Glassell, III, Ann and John Bookout, the Gordon A. Cain Foundation, Anne and Albert Chao, Carolyn and Platt Davis, Lois Davis, The Duncan Fund, Cherie and Jim Flores, The Frost/Lopez Family, Susie and Mel Glasscock, Annie and Bob Graham, Cynthia and Ben Guill, Tracy and Randy Hale, the Holthouse Foundation for Kids, the Kinder Foundation, Colleen and John Kotts, Phuong and George Levan, Bobbie Nau, John L. Nau, III, Karen and Dean Patrinely, Nancy and David Pustka, Beth Robertson and Steve Pearce, Eliza and Stuart W. Stedman, Meg and Dick Weekley, Hilda and Greg Curran, Kelly and Bill Montgomery, Sara Dodd-Denton and Will Denton, Mary and John Eads, Jenny Elkins, Martha and Richard Finger,Kathy and Marty Goossen, Kay and Ned Holmes, Anne Lamkin Kinder, Susan and David Lazarus, Shelli and Steve Lindley, Joella and Steve Mach, Lisa and Will Mathis, Diane and David Modesett, Shanell and Walker Moody, Rob Mosbacher, Susanne and William E. Pritchard III, Barbara Radnofsky and Ed Supkis, Jennifer M. Segal, Carolyn and Garry Tanner, Ann G. Trammell, Randa and K. C. Weiner, Stacy and John Wilkirson, Cyvia Wolff, Woodforest National Bank, and Carolyn and John H. Young.


*Info correction, At 9:20, it is the 2nd printing, not the first.

For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

The HMNS Beyond Bones Podcast from the Houston Museum of Natural Science is an invitation to explore the vast and curious collection of over 2.5 million artifacts. This isn't just a tour of exhibits; it's a deep dive into the narratives embedded in everything from imposing dinosaur fossils to the minute beauty of a butterfly's wing. Each episode uses a specific object or a listener's question as a starting point, unraveling tales of natural history, scientific discovery, and human culture. You'll hear from the experts and curators who care for these treasures, gaining insights that connect a single, intricately carved seashell to broader themes in our world. The conversations in this podcast naturally extend beyond the museum's walls, examining how science intersects with our daily lives and shared history. It’s for anyone with a lingering question about how the world works or a simple wonder about the stories waiting inside a museum drawer. Tune in for a thoughtful and accessible blend of science, culture, and education, all sparked by the real objects housed in Houston.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 39

HMNS Beyond Bones Podcast
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