Toyota to Sponsor National Archives Museum’s “Featured Documents”

Millions of people who visit Washington each year go to see its famous monuments or view historic records, which chronicle significant events in the nation's history.

Toyota announced a $100,000 donation to the Foundation for the National Archives to support the public display of rarely exhibited records, including the House passage of the Bill of Rights, the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, and 200-year-old documents from the War of 1812, at the National Archives Museum.

The donation to the Foundation – the National Archives’ private partner – was given in honor of businessman and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, a generous supporter of the Archives who has loaned his own copies of the Declaration of Independence and Magna Carta to the museum and recently helped fund a major expansion and the creation of the new permanent exhibition, «Records of Rights»

Toyota’s gift was announced at an event at the National Archives in which Toyota hosted executives, assembly line workers, and other guests at a reception and dinner featuring Rubenstein.

“It is with a deep sense of honor that Toyota makes this donation to the Foundation for the National Archives in recognition of our nation’s rich history,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota’s North American Region. “We are proud to help preserve treasured documents marking major milestones in American history.”

Lentz noted that Toyota has enjoyed an almost 60-year history in the U.S. as a business deeply ingrained in communities nationwide. “Giving back to our society reflects who we are as a company,” he said.

“Toyota’s generosity is a stirring gesture to David Rubenstein’s philanthropy while recognizing the vital importance of the National Archives,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Patrick M. Madden. “These are one-of-a-kind historic documents that range from light-hearted to monumental acts. Each one still resonates in our country’s consciousness today.”

Toyota’s donation will support the Foundation’s exhibition fund and will help the Archives prepare and display more than 10 records in the “Featured Document” exhibit in the museum’s East Rotunda Gallery over the next six months. The rotating exhibit, located near displays of the original Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, is seen by more than 1 million visitors each year. As each record is displayed, more information about its history and free access to high-resolution images of the document will be available through the Foundation’s website.

The documents include:

Smith-Lever Act of 1914, signed by President Woodrow Wilson 100 years ago, creating the national Cooperative Extension System to expand programs at land-grant universities. (April 17 – May 8)

Mother’s Letter to the Children’s Bureau, one of hundreds of letters written by mothers and soon-to-be mothers seeking advice and support in the care of children. This 1916 letter from Mrs. Neil Williams to Julia Lathrop is displayed in honor of Mother’s Day. (May 9 – 21)

125th establishment of the Shiloh National Cemetery by the War Department in 1889, displayed in honor of Memorial Day. The cemetery holds 3,584 Civil War dead, 2,359 of whom are unknown. (May 22 –June 5)

G.I. Bill of Rights of 1944, passed by Congress 70 years ago, providing benefits to World War II veterans, including grants for school and college tuition, low-interest mortgages, and unemployment benefits. (June 6– July 14)

Tonkin Gulf Resolution of 1964, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Congress giving President Lyndon Johnson the authority to increase U.S. involvement in the war between North and South Vietnam. (July 15 – August 7)

President Richard Nixon’s resignation letter to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (August 9, 1974) and

President Gerald Ford’s full and unconditional pardon of Nixon (September 8, 1974). (August 8 –11)

House Passage of the Bill of Rights, celebrating its 225th anniversary. The First Congress proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution, 10 of which were ratified and are now collectively known as the Bill of Rights. (August 12 – September 10)

Documents and an artifact commemorating the 1814 attack on Baltimore and Fort McHenry and the burning of Washington. During the War of 1812, Fort McHenry was responsible for defending Baltimore and raising the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to “The Star Spangled Banner” 200 years ago. (September 11 – October 30)

Rubenstein said he was moved by Toyota’s decision to donate to the National Archives. “Toyota’s generous and timely gift will help ensure that documents central to the struggle for freedom and equality will be seen by millions of people,” he said.