Where is the original U.S. Constitution located?

The original U.S. Constitution is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. This is the designated location where the foundational documents of the United States are preserved and displayed for public viewing. The National Archives serves as a crucial institution for safeguarding important historical records, including the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights.

The preservation of the Constitution in the National Archives ensures that it is protected in a controlled environment that minimizes damage from factors like light and humidity, allowing future generations to appreciate and study this critical document of American democracy. The other locations mentioned, while significant in their own right, do not serve as the repository for the original text of the Constitution. The Library of Congress, for example, is a vast and prestigious institution with a wealth of American documents, but the Constitution itself is not part of its collection. Similarly, the Federal Hall in New York City is historic, as it was the site where George Washington was inaugurated, and the Smithsonian Institution encompasses a range of museums, but neither venue holds the original Constitution.