National Archives, Piled Helter-Skelter for 150 Years, Are Now Preserved in a Building of Their Own. National Archives Building in Washington, D. C., built at a cost of $12,000,000 (exclusive of site), as a storage place for all of the documents of the United States which are no longer considered current, but which still have zither governmental or historical value, These documents include war proclamations, amendments, treaties, codes and declarations ***** once front page news. September 17,