Explore the book behind our nation’s story.
From America's earliest days, no text has left a deeper mark on the nation's ideals, laws, and culture than the Bible. As America marks its 250th anniversary, Museum of the Bible invites you to explore this story like never before, with events throughout the year and two new exhibits opening July 3 that trace the Bible's profound influence on American history from the founding era to today.
Award-winning and endlessly surprising, Museum of the Bible sits just three blocks from the US Capitol and offers something for everyone: rare artifacts spanning 4,000 years, immersive experiences that bring the biblical narrative to life, and conversations that will change how you see American history.
Exhibits
Sacred Liberty | Floor 1
Opens July 3, 2026
No ticket required to see this exhibit!
This special exhibit will highlight individuals whose lives were impacted by the Bible throughout American history—both historically influential figures and everyday Americans. It will showcase the ways these individuals used the Bible and will draw out themes related to the Bible in foundational and influential American documents.
The Bible in Times of War | Floor 2
Opens July 3, 2026
This year-long exhibit will reveal how the Bible has been a consistent presence in the US military. Located toward the end of the Bible in America gallery on the Impact of the Bible Floor, it will include a display of military Bibles and a handful of personal stories, including contemporary testimonies, that feature soldiers testifying to how the Bible provided guidance at home and abroad.
From the Vault: Art About America | Floor 2
May 1–October 11, 2026
In honor of America’s 250th birthday, never-before-seen objects from our collection are coming out of the vault! See early portraits and prints of George Washington, paintings of the Pilgrims as they sail for the New World, printed propaganda by the patriot Paul Revere, early colonial portraits of clergy, and a print depicting the first prayer in Congress. From pilgrims to pastors to presidents, this exhibition offers a glimpse into the connection between Scripture and civic duty through rare and remarkable early colonial portraiture and printed propaganda that served the patriotic spirit of a young America.
Bible in America | Floor 2
Trace the history of the Bible in America, from the first settlers to the twenty-first century, exploring the profound and sometimes complicated impact of this book on American culture.
Featured Objects
The Prayer at Valley Forge | Floor 2
The Prayer at Valley Forge by Arnold Friberg has become one of the most recognizable paintings in American history. Friberg’s painting is a poignant portrayal of General George Washington during one of the most critical moments in the American Revolution.
The Liberty Bell Replica | Floor 2
The Liberty Bell is one of America’s most iconic monuments. Encircling the bell are words from Leviticus 25:10, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
The Bible and the American Story
Trace the Bible's impact across 250 years of American history!
Behind every pivotal moment, there's a thread most people never see.
For 250 years, the Bible has echoed through America's most defining chapters. This film follows that thread from the very beginning.
This film was imagined by the curators and storytellers at Museum of the Bible, produced and created by Jakob Söe-Pedersen at Black Eye Media, composed by Helmut Schenker, Bonn Fields and Damir Bogdan, and assisted by artificial intelligence.
Featured Experiences
Washington Revelations | Floor 2
This 6-minute multi-sensory tour will take you past biblical references in and around Washington, DC, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Library of Congress! Get ready for an exhilarating and unique ride through DC you won’t find anywhere else.
The Voices of Legacy: The Bible as a Compass | Floor 2
This series of performances is a celebration of the impact of the Bible on individuals from the past. Their voices represent diverse expressions of American experiences and the shared fight for liberty. Living history interpreters will represent different historical figures impacted by the Bible and the American Revolution.
A General’s Prayer | The World Stage Theater
Opens June 12, 2026
A General’s Prayer is a stirring one-man play that invites audiences into Washington’s private world—his doubts, his resolve, and his quiet dependence on God. Through moments of reflection, memory, and prayer, we encounter not the legend, but the man: a leader shaped as much by faith as by strategy.
June 7, 2026
Dr. Thomas S. Kidd
“‘An Appeal to Arms and to the God of Hosts’: Divine Blessing, the Bible, and the American Case for Revolution”
August 9, 2026
Dr. Jane E. Calvert
“‘The Most Republican Book That Was Ever Written’: The Bible in John Dickinson’s Political Philosophy”
August 23, 2026
Dr. Daniel Dreisbach
“The Bible’s Influence on the American Founders’ Political Thought and Practices”
September 20, 2026
Dr. Catherine A. Brekus
“Founding Mothers: Women, the Bible, and the American Revolution”
October 4, 2026
Dr. Vincent Phillip Muñoz
“What Should We Celebrate When We Celebrate the Declaration of Independence?: Political Authority, Religious Authority, and the American Revolutions of 1776”
October 11, 2026
Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik
“The July 4th Committee and the Biblical Seal of the United States”
November 22, 2026
Dr. Thomas Albert Howard
“The American Religious Experiment in European Perspective”
December 6, 2026
Dr. Mark David Hall
“Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth”
Plan Your Visit
Join Us for America's 250th
Come discover the Bible's role in American history through the museum's exhibitions, events, and programs.