Interested in History? How about cookies? Come to the Archives and Special Collections (Bracken Library, room 210) on October 16th at 6:00pm to hear about how print culture, the Enlightenment, and a revolutionary atmosphere led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence. While you're here, enjoy some delicious cookies while viewing amazing Special Collections materials from the 1700's, including six original letters from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and more!
In 1776, a committee of five members of the Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence, one of the most foundational and important political documents in the history of western society. But the Declaration did not spring from the minds of the writers out of nothing. Like any great work, it was profoundly influenced by the cultural movements of the time. The writers were inspired by a century of Enlightenment philosophy advocating reason, liberalism, and natural rights. They were also inundated with a media landscape of print information that was expanding in a way never seen before. These ingredients, along with unrest and unfair treatment, created an atmosphere of revolution — where political change actually felt possible.
Ages of Liberty seeks to explore the 18th century cultural "ages" of Revolution, Enlightenment, and Print which were all important ingredients in creating the atmosphere where the Declaration of Independence was written and signed. The exhibit features six original signed documents from American Founders Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Lafayette. The Age of Revolution section also includes other revolutionary rare books and documents. The Age of Enlightenment section displays works of philosophy, medicine, and education, as well as Diderot's famous Encyclopédie. The Age of Print section showcases newspapers, magazines, novels, poetry, and more, including an original Poor Richard's Almanack, a first-edition Gulliver's Travels, and Bible leaves from the first ever printed Bibles in the American Colonies.