Display

Hamilton at The National Archives

Date: 10 June to 29 November 2026
Price: Free

Straight from London's West End, see iconic costumes from the hit musical Hamilton at The National Archives.

To complement our new exhibition Revolution 250, visitors can get up close to the story of America’s foundation with our display of costumes from the award-winning musical Hamilton.

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of The US Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America, in which Hamilton played a starring role. An immigrant from the West Indies, he became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War, going on to shape the America we know today.

Transporting the stage production that blends hip-hop, jazz, rap, and more, on display are the costumes of George Washington, King George III, and Alexander and Elizabeth Hamilton. From frock coats to satin dresses, for the first time in the UK, see the iconic 18th century-inspired costumes that appear on stage.

Hamilton is currently playing at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London.

Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763–1783

This display complements our free exhibition Revolution 250 that charts the emergence of the United States of America.

Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday; See our opening times
Price: Free; No booking needed
Location: Welcome Hall; The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU
Accessibility: See our accessibility guide

The display

Image 1 of 5

A display in The National Archives entrance. There are four mannequins wearing 18th-century clothing. They are dressed as King George, George Washington, and Eliza and Alexander Hamilton.

Image 2 of 5

A display in The National Archives entrance. There are two mannequins wearing 18th-century clothing. They are dressed as George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.

Image 3 of 5

A display in The National Archives entrance. There is a mannequin dressed as Eliza Hamilton. It is wearing a turquoise frock.

Image 4 of 5

A display in The National Archives entrance. There is a mannequin dressed as King George III wearing 18th-century royal clothing.

Image 5 of 5

A display in The National Archives entrance. There is a mannequin dressed at George Washington. It is wearing a blue military coat and hat.

Plan your visit

What is The National Archives?

The National Archives is the official archive of the UK government, and England and Wales. We are the guardians of over 1,000 years of iconic national documents.

Everyone is welcome to visit our headquarters in Kew. We put on exhibitions, events and displays and offer reading rooms giving access to our collections there.

Find out more about who we are

Children and families

We provide a warm welcome to visitors of all ages, including children and family groups.

Free activity sheets (for ages 1+) are available from the Time Travel Club trolley in our entrance hall
Our café is child-friendly and there are picnic benches outside
Prams and buggies are welcome, and we have a buggy park
Baby changing facilities are located by our entrance hall, at the top of the main stairs, and in the library
Emergency supplies of nappies and wipes are available

Find out more about visiting with children

Eat and drink

We have a café and coffee bar provided by Maids of Honour, a historic local tea room and bakery. It has spacious indoor and outside seating and a soft play area.

On the menu is a variety of high-quality lunchtime meals, sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements are all catered to.

Find out more about our café

Visit us