mr. rubenstein permanently loaned the document to the national archives as a gift to the american people. it was taken off display in 2011 to undergo conservation treatment and to be placed in a new protective case. "american history tv" attended a press briefing for the unveiling of the newly encased magna carta. >> i'm david ferreiro, and i am happy to welcome you here today to one of our conservation labs. for years the only copy of the magna carta has been out of sight, undergoing conservation treatment. we're showing you the result of our staff's painstaking work, displayed in a new encasement designed and fabricated by the national institute of standards and technology. the 700-year-old document looks better than ever. when the magna carta is back on public display beginning on february 17th, interactive displays will enhance the educational value of viewing the record. visitors will be able to read an annotated translation of the latin document and learn how the magna carta influenced america's founding charter, the declaration of independence, the constitution, and the bill of rig

mr. ryan as he introduces the events. >> to the north of the white house and historic decatur house, we have just launched the new david rubensteincenter for white house history. next year to the south of the white house we will open a newly-redesigned white house visitor' center. it will give the millions of visitor to washington each year a chance to gain a broader understanding of life in the white house. if we can just acquire something on the east and west, we'll have the place surrounded. [laughter] the other mission of the association is to provide funds to preserve the white house public rooms and enhance its incomparable collection of decorative and fine arts. over the five decades and ten presidents since our founding, the association is proud to have provided nearly $40 million in financial support for refurbishing and making important acquisitions for the white house. through the portraits of our presidents and fist ladies -- first ladies, it's a wonderful tradition that here in america's house our country honors those who have honored us. the tradition began with the acquisition of george washington's portrait in 180