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A powerful new exhibit just opened at the New York Public Library. "Declaring America: 1776 and Beyond," a major free exhibition at the flagship Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, draws from the Library’s vast historical collections to explore the diverse and complex stories of the American Revolution from its inception to modern day fights for freedom.
"Declaring America" focuses heavily on New York City’s dual role as both a literal and intellectual battleground during the early months of the Revolutionary War. Visitors can examine vibrant historical battle maps detailing old colonial street names like "King Street" (now Pine Street), alongside an extraordinary June 1776 letter from Benjamin Franklin to George Washington reporting that the Declaration of Independence was being prepared. The exhibition also features a rare broadside copy of the Declaration printed in New York City on July 9, 1776—the monumental day New York became the thirteenth and final colony to approve the document.
However, the showcase extends far beyond the 18th century, tracing the enduring legacy of protest in American history and addressing the paradoxes of the nation's democratic ideals. Among the 250 items on display are an 1834 silk anti-slavery banner, iconic posters from pioneering HIV/AIDS activists, a 1963 "Civil Rights Now!" pennant and contemporary artworks by renowned artists like Barbara Kruger and Kara Walker.
Coinciding with the opening, the Library released its next wave of free, timed tickets for a rare public viewing of Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence, which is on display from July 1–7. The first wave of tickets sold out within four hours, so history enthusiasts are urged to act fast.
This exhibition is part of a broader, system-wide commemoration of the U.S. semiquincentennial titled 250 Years: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Additional initiatives include We the People, a public storytelling project whose submissions will be added to the Library’s permanent archives, a limited-edition library card and a curated "Reading America" list of 250 books. You can even sample, at bars and restaurants around the city, "Liberty Lager"—a modern brew by TALEA Beer Co. inspired by George Washington's personal 1757 beer recipe.
Declaring America will be on display through January 10, 2027. Find more info here.