Upcoming Events
FAN EXPO Philadelphia
Having just celebrated its 20-year anniversary in late 2024, Disney’s National Treasure franchise reliably captivates intergenerational audiences thanks to its entertaining treasure hunt, improbable plot, and, frankly, Nicolas Cage. (After all, who would have thought the infamous actor’s most “normal” role would involve stealing the Declaration of Independence?) In this interactive event, Aubrey Paris, franchise expert, podcast host, and author of the hit book National Treasure Hunt: One Step Short of Crazy, takes an an ocular device to this beloved franchise, examining how history, science, ciphers, and just hint of Hollywood magic combine to create a film that has not only stood the test of time, but has become even more popular with age. Adults and children alike will leave the program with a newfound appreciation for the films, having learned bona fide treasure hunting skills, behind-the-scenes secrets from filming, and how they, too, can become Benjamin Franklin Gates. Plus, Paris will answer the question on everyone’s mind: What is the status of the long-awaited National Treasure 3?
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 12:15-1:00 PM
Location: Workshop Room 123, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Tickets to FAN EXPO Philadelphia Required. Get yours here.
Carroll County Public Library
National Treasure Hunt delivered an interactive lecture and family-friendly activities at Carroll County Public Library's Exploration Commons (Westminster, MD) in March 2025. They rounded out the day on Carroll County's local book podcast, Two Sides to the Story.
President Lincoln's Cottage
National Treasure Hunt presented an interactive lecture, followed by fan-favorite invisible ink and cipher activities, for a packed house at President Lincoln's Cottage (Washington, D.C.) in February 2025.
Museum of the American Revolution
National Treasure Hunt joined the Museum of the American Revolution in November 2024 for its first-ever National Treasure Night, which included a meet-and-greet with our co-hosts and a lecture with an FBI agent who investigates art heists.
U.S. National Archives
To launch its new "Inside the Vault" event series, the U.S. National Archives invited National Treasure Hunt to sit down for a virtual, live-streaming conversation with the Archivist of the United States, Dr. Colleen Shogan. The program examined fact versus fiction in National Treasure.
Baltimore County Public Library
National Treasure Hunt's summer 2024 live event tour concluded on August 24 with a stop at Baltimore County Public Library in Essex, Maryland. The program included a National Treasure screening, discussion, and book signing.
AFI Silver Theatre
On August 3, National Treasure Hunt's summer 2024 live event tour visited AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland, where co-host Aubrey Paris presented National Treasure trivia prior to a 20th anniversary screening and book signing.
Colonial Theatre
On July 27, National Treasure Hunt's summer 2024 live event tour visited Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, for a National Treasure screening followed by the first-ever LIVE recording of the National Treasure Hunt podcast.
Independence National Historical Park
From the floor of historic Congress Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, National Treasure Hunt presented an interactive lecture, followed by a Q&A and book signing, for a sold-out crowd in celebration of Fourth of July Weekend 2024.
Library of Congress
In celebration of the site's new Treasures Gallery, National Treasure Hunt visited the Library of Congress in June 2024 to deliver an interactive lecture, Q&A, and book signing for a sold-out audience during Live! At the Library.
Princeton Garden Theatre
National Treasure Hunt's summer 2024 live event tour continued on June 16 with a National Treasure screening, discussion, Q&A, and book signing at Princeton Garden Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey.
Ambler Theater
National Treasure Hunt kicked off its summer 2024 live events tour with a National Treasure screening, discussion, Q&A, and book signing at Ambler Theater in Ambler, Pennsylvania, on June 15.
U.S. National Archives
In celebration of Fourth of July Weekend 2023, the U.S. National Archives hosted National Treasure Hunt for an interactive presentation about how history, science, ciphers, and movie magic converge in National Treasure. The presentation was followed by a book signing and National Treasure screening.
Book Tour: Lost City Bookstore
In July 2023, Lost City Bookstore (Washington, D.C.) hosted a discussion and signing for National Treasure Hunt: One Step Short of Crazy. Following the discussion, the National Treasure Hunt co-hosts facilitated a scavenger hunt in the store.
Book Tour: Big Blue Marble Bookstore
In June 2023, Big Blue Marble Bookstore (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) hosted a reading and signing for National Treasure Hunt: One Step Short of Crazy. The event focused on Chapter 5, which emphasizes Philadelphia history.
Book Tour: Ursinus College
In April 2023, Ursinus College hosted National Treasure Hunt's first-ever book talk and signing for an audience of students, professors, alumni, and members of the Collegeville, Pennsylvania, community.
"National Treasure: Edge of History" Red Carpet
Prior to the Hollywood premiere of National Treasure: Edge of History in December 2022, National Treasure Hunt was invited to cover the red carpet and interview the cast and executive producers of the new Disney+ streamer series.
"National Treasure: Edge of History" World Premiere
In December 2022, National Treasure Hunt attended the world premiere of the new streamer series National Treasure: Edge of History at The El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
Ursinus College Classroom Visits
In October 2022, Aubrey Paris and Emily Black returned to their alma mater, Ursinus College, to announce the title and publication date of their book. While on campus, they joined six classes and student organizations and spoke during a panel discussion about ethics and morality in National Treasure.
Rosslyn Cinema
In June 2022, National Treasure Hunt was invited to participate in and introduce Rosslyn BID's outdoor screening of National Treasure, which attracted hundreds of viewers to Gateway Park in Arlington, Virginia.
President Lincoln's Cottage
Emily and Aubrey on the grounds of President Lincoln's Cottage (June 2024)
North side of Lincoln's Cottage
Entryway
Library
Emily and Aubrey seated in the library
Master bedroom, where the Emancipation Proclamation was drafted
Aubrey and Emily seated at the replica Emancipation Proclamation desk
South porch
Entrance to the grounds
Trinity Church
Emily and Aubrey at the intersection of Wall Street and Broadway: "Heere at the Wall" (June 2023)
Trinity Church exterior facing Broadway
Stained glass window and reredos
North churchyard
Astor Cross
Grave of Alexander Hamilton (undergoing restoration)
Grave of Eliza Schuyler
South churchyard
Trinity Church circa 1890
Poster protesting proposed road expansion through Trinity Churchyard
Book of marriage records (circa 1776)
Book of death records (circa 1777)
Book of pew payments (depicting consecutive payments of John Jay and Alexander Hamilton)
Original charter of Trinity Church (1697)
Bucket from the Great Fire
Emily and Aubrey with Trinity Church archivist Marissa Maggs
Library of Congress
Aubrey and Emily in the Great Hall (June 2022)
Great Hall at the Library of Congress
Arts and sciences
Hall of Science
Statues of Fulton and St. Paul, marking the balcony where Book of Secrets filmed
Main Reading Room
Circulation desk door through which Abigail and Riley escaped the FBI
Staircase beneath the circulation desk
Main card catalog
Aubrey and Emily in the double-shelved book stacks
Piece of papyrus from the Rare Books & Special Collections Division
Broadside Dunlap Declaration of Independence from the Rare Books & Special Collections Division
John Wilkes Booth's wanted poster from the Rare Books & Special Collections Division
First printed American cookbook from the Rare Books & Special Collections Division
Original print copy of The Wizard of Oz from the Rare Books & Special Collections Division
George Washington's Dunlap Broadside Declaration of Independence from the Manuscripts Division
Letter from James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, stored in the Manuscripts Division
Sample of Thomas Jefferson's hair from the Manuscripts Division
Benjamin Franklin's notes on bifocals from the Manuscripts Division
George Washington's school copy book from the Manuscripts Division
Abraham Lincoln's school copy book from the Manuscripts Division
"Abraham Lincoln, his hand and pen, he will be good but God knows when."
Left to right: Aubrey, Eden (Library of Congress intern), Abby (reference specialist), Emily
Independence National Historical Park
Emily and Aubrey at Independence Hall (May 2022)
Independence Hall (Ben Gates' exit point)
Chimney where ocular device was found
Chimney where ocular device was found (alternate view)
Assembly Room
Assembly Room, depicting windows through which Ian's team was spotted
Emily and Aubrey in the Assembly Room
Former Pennsylvania Supreme Court meeting room (across from Assembly Room)
Staircase
Stairway to the bell tower
Original printed copy of the Declaration of Independence
U.S. House of Representatives meeting room in Congress Hall
U.S. Senate meeting room in Congress Hall
Emily and Aubrey at the Liberty Bell
Merchants' Exchange Building, seen at 00:02:17 in National Treasure
Outline of Benjamin Franklin's properties
George Washington's Mount Vernon
Emily and Aubrey visit Anette (senior interpretive supervisor; center) at Mount Vernon (August 2021)
Original mirror
Green dining room
Each room had a different color scheme
Aubrey climbing into the cupola
Emily climbing into the cupola
View from the cupola
View of the Potomac River from the cupola
George Washington's study
Doors leading to the mansion cellar
Staircase leading into the cellar
Cellar hallway
Vault that was replicated on set for Ben Gates' and the President's excursion
The "mark of George Washington" referenced in Book of Secrets
Emily, Aubrey, and Anette pose with the cornerstone, located in the cellar hallway
Mansion from the West Lawn
View of the East Lawn, where Book of Secrets' party scene was filmed
Lower garden
Artichokes in the lower garden
Greenhouse
Upper garden
Ice house, whose short tunnel inspired the under-estate tunnels in Book of Secrets
Ice house interior
Tomb of George Washington
Charlotte's story
Sixteen-sided barn
Access point for Ben Gates on the wharf