Lincoln Memorial removes historic documents over heat damage fears

Rare, historic documents on display at the Lincoln Memorial are being temporarily removed due to concerns about damage from high temperatures. Philanthropist Kenneth C. Griffin's copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment, both bearing original signatures from Abraham Lincoln and other Civil War-era officials, were found to have been exposed to temperatures exceeding optimal preservation conditions.

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The National Park Service (NPS) has informed us that the documents on view for the Lincoln Memorial celebration were exposed to temperatures modestly above the optimal conditions for long-term preservation.

A spokesperson for Griffin confirmed that the National Park Service (NPS) informed them of the elevated temperatures during the recent heatwave engulfing Washington D.C. "Out of an abundance of caution, these sacred documents are being temporarily relocated while the National Park Service resolves the environmental challenges driven by the heatwave engulfing Washington DC," the spokesperson stated.

Griffin acquired these documents, considered national treasures, for a reported $18 million in 2025. His copy of the Emancipation Proclamation is one of only 27 printed for an 1864 fair, while his signed 13th Amendment is one of just 15 known copies. These documents have been on loan at the Lincoln Memorial's undercroft exhibition since its opening in late June, part of celebrations for the United States's 250th anniversary, and were scheduled to remain on display until June 2027.

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Out of an abundance of caution, these sacred documents are being temporarily relocated while the National Park Service resolves the environmental challenges driven by the heatwave engulfing Washington DC.

Concerns about the documents' safety were amplified by reports citing NPS employees who claimed the display screens designed to protect the documents from light were defective. These issues allegedly caused temperatures inside the display case to repeatedly rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, far exceeding the National Archives' recommended range of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. The documents will now be moved to a climate-controlled facility for a detailed inspection to assess the extent of any damage.

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The National Park Service is committed to the preservation of these historic resources and would not display them if their preservation or security were compromised.