Magna Carta to Return to Public View After Pricey Conservation Effort
The public will soon have a chance again to view a 715-year-old copy of Magna Carta at the National Archives following a conservation effort to remove old patches and repair weak spots.
The medieval declaration of human rights, which inspired the United States’ founding documents, is owned by Carlyle Group founder and history buff David Rubenstein, who purchased the copy in 2007 for $21.3 million. It is the only original copy in the United States and Rubenstein made the purchase to keep it here.
He put up an additional $13.5 million to fund the document’s restoration and exhibit set to open next year.
Unveiled Thursday in a specially humidified glass and metal case, the document will go on public display Feb. 17, the Associated Press reports.
AP notes there are 17 copies of Magna Carta, with 15 in Britain and one in Australia’s parliament.
