This museum houses one of the world's largest collections of significant historical documents. Displays, which rotate between the seven Karpeles museums, may include letters by Napoleon Bonaparte and George Washington; the musical notations of Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus, Mozart, or Wagner; or such political documents as constitutions and treaties. One of the collection's most notable highlights is the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln.
A variety of traveling exhibitions and special children's educational programs are sponsored by the museum throughout the year, and groups are encouraged to use the museum's historic 1921 Neo-Classical-style building for special community events; call for current schedule. Open Monday-Saturday, admission is free to the public.
