WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Students at Williams College watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama Tuesday - a moment rich in history and tradition. But only about 300 feet away, some of the most important, founding American history is on display. Without it, an inauguration wouldn't even be possible.

"Behind me is perhaps the greatest treasure of Williams College. We have one of only 26 existing copies of the Declaration of Independence," said Williams College Museum of Art Director Lisa Corrin.

Also on display are extremely rare copies of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and even one document with the signature of George Washington.

"They're not just a copy that you might have read about in your social studies text book as a kid," said Corrin.

Here you'll even see handwritten notes, and the British response to America's founding principles.

"What's rare is not only the documents you see, but that we have the whole group of them so that you can see how one led to the next and how this is an accumulation of the whole founding principle of this country," said Corrin.

During the inauguration, you often hear about the transition of power and how smooth how that process usually is. That's why it's so interesting that the reason for that easy transition is out on display for all to see.

"To be able to feel the history of our country and [see it] with these documents, it's exciting now, with Obama being elected and the inauguration today. It's been a trip I think," said Williams College senior Helen Hatch.

It's a trip to see rare pieces of history any day, but especially on Inauguration Day, when history has come to life.