Duke and Durham Mark 250th Anniversary of Declaration of Independence

We the People Initiative will display early copies of the Declaration this fall

Duke University and Durham organizations are partnering to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States’ Declaration of Independence.

A new We the People initiative will examine the nation’s evolving identity through exhibitions, performances, coursework, conversations and public programs through the spring of 2027. Drawing from the opening words of the Constitution, the project asks us to consider who “the people” have been, and who we aspire to be, within the ongoing story of the United States.  

We the People joins Duke’s strengths in arts, humanities, public policy and civic scholarship with Durham organizations and public schools, rooting the initiative in the voices and histories of Durham. 

In addition to the We the People initiative, Duke University announces a new coordinated civic initiative with the National Archives Foundation, including groundbreaking programming in civics education and civic engagement.

“Here in Durham, we know that the story of ‘We the People’ continues to grow and take shape with each generation,” said Leonardo Williams, mayor of Durham, N.C. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this partnership with Duke University gives us a meaningful opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Through shared experiences in art, conversation, and community, we can come together to better understand our history and continue building a future that includes us all.”

“I encourage faculty, staff, and students to take advantage of the many public programs, exhibitions, and performances over the coming months to mark this moment in our nation’s history,” said Provost Alec D. Gallimore. “I look forward to seeing the Duke community at We the People events and discussions this year as we commemorate our nation’s founding and engage in conversation together about the ongoing story of the United States. I want to thank Manoj Mohanan, interim dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy and Creed C. Black Professor of Public Policy, and vice provost for the arts Deborah Rutter for their leadership in convening this initiative.”

A Rare Public Exhibition of the Declaration of Independence

A central public feature of We the People will be the presentation of three historic copies of the Declaration of Independence, offering visitors a rare opportunity to encounter how the document was circulated and visually rendered in the early decades of the nation.

The exhibition will feature three rare prints on loan from the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection: a rare official full-sized 1823 facsimile engraved by William J. Stone (known as a Stone Declaration) alongside two historic broadside copies from the same era: an 1818 reproduction by calligrapher Benjamin Owen Tyler and a more ornate 1819 illustrated version published by John Binns. 

Copies of the Declaration of Independence will offer visitors an opportunity to see how the document was circulated.

“I am honored to share these historic documents with the Duke and the Durham community as we celebrate America’s founding,” said Duke alumnus, trustee emeritus, and former board chair David M. Rubenstein. “By placing the Declaration of Independence and its early reproductions in public spaces, We the People creates opportunities for people to engage directly with a document that continues to shape civic life."

This Stone Declaration is one of 200 facsimiles produced in 1823 using a copperplate engraving commissioned by the U.S. Department of State under John Quincy Adams; there are fewer than 50 known copies today. Created over the course of three years, the Stone engraving is one of the most faithful early reproductions of the original Declaration. Due to the condition of the original Declaration of Independence, the Stone Declaration is now one of the most reproduced versions of the document, appearing in school textbooks, media and other depictions of this founding document.

To maximize access for the Durham community and the region, the documents will be presented in two locations:

  • Durham County Main Library (Downtown Durham): September 8–20, 2026 
  • Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University: September 24–January 3

The exhibition will be free and open to the public at both locations, with complementary programming on Duke’s campus and in partnership with Durham organizations.  

“Welcoming these early copies of the Declaration of Independence is an extraordinary moment for our library and our community,” said Durham County Library Director Dana Conners. ”We the People invites all of us to reflect on our shared history and imagine the future we want to build together. My hope is that this exhibition sparks curiosity, conversation, and a renewed belief in what is possible for Durham and beyond.”

“At the Nasher Museum, we aim to connect art, history and public life in ways that feel meaningful and relevant," said Trevor Schoonmaker, the museum’s Mary D.B.T. and James H. Semans Director. “Sharing these rare early versions of the Declaration of Independence gives our community and students a chance to learn directly from the objects themselves. That kind of close looking can spark open, thoughtful conversations about how its ideals have been challenged and how we are still working to achieve them.”

National Archives Foundation Partnership and Civic Learning

In addition to We the People, the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke has entered a multi-year partnership with the National Archives Foundation (NAF) to pilot a higher education civics program. The partnership supports education, research and public engagement activities that integrate primary historical documents into civic learning at both the university and K–12 levels.

The collaboration began in January with America at 250: Founding and Forging a Democracy, an undergraduate-level interdisciplinary course taught by Joseph Blocher, Lanty L. Smith ’67 Distinguished Professor of Law, and Thavolia Glymph, Peabody Family Distinguished Professor of History. The course, sponsored by the Provost’s Initiative on Pluralism, Free Inquiry and Belonging, explores the history of the nation’s 250 years and the democratic principles at its center through the study of key documents from the National Archives. 

Classroom of students in Duke Sanford’s “America at 250: Founding and Forging a Democracy”
Students at the National Archives looking at the Declaration of Independence.
Students in the Sanford class visit the National Archives.

Through this collaboration, Duke faculty and students will engage with primary documents from the National Archives, explore new models for civic education, and contribute to a growing national network of higher education institutions working with the NAF.

“Our democracy is propelled by a relentless drive to improve our institutions and strengthen our communities. Public policy is how we translate that effort into action,” said Manoj Mohanan, interim dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy. “At Duke Sanford, we are proud to partner with the National Archives Foundation to bring foundational documents into our classrooms and create educational resources that will be available to our community far beyond the walls of Duke. Engaging directly with these texts, which form the bedrock of our democracy, helps all of us understand what makes the American experiment uniquely precious.”

Partnership with Durham Public Schools

Through Durham Public Schools (DPS), We the People will engage Durham students in conversations about civics and United States history, including through a teacher training workshop developed in collaboration with the NAF.

“Durham Public Schools eagerly accepts the opportunity to participate in this rare occasion of co-hosting the Durham exhibit of the 1823 copy of the Declaration of Independence,” said Dr. Anthony S. Lewis , superintendent of DPS. “We anticipate engagement and dialogue among our teachers and students around this historical and ongoing story and consider this partnership a privilege that will benefit teaching and learning in Durham.”

Planned activities include:

  • A free 2.5-day teacher training workshop for 20 local teachers and librarians, led by NAF educators and Duke faculty, focused on civics and archives-based curricula. 
  • Field trips for DPS students throughout fall 2026 to view the Declaration of Independence at the Durham County Main Library or the Nasher Museum, connecting classroom learning to direct engagement with a foundational historical document.
  • This summer, a new Transformative Ideas residential program will invite 16 Durham area high school students to participate in a free, week-long immersive learning experience focused on leadership, personal formation and civic virtue. This program is grounded in Duke’s Transformative Ideas curriculum.
  • Duke’s annual School Days program, which brings 800 local 8th grade students to Duke’s campus in October, will be We the People themed and include discussion on civics and history.
A group of young students walking through Duke's campus. They are wearing blue t shirts.
Eighth grade students tour Duke as part of the School Days program.
K-12 students visit the Nasher Museum of Art.

“By partnering with local organizations, schools, and civic leaders, We the People will generate a shared experience around this important milestone in our nation’s history,” shared Stelfanie Williams, Duke’s vice president for community affairs. “Community programming, coupled with these noteworthy historical documents, will offer a unique opportunity for learning and reflection for young pupils, college students and lifelong learners.”

What’s Next: Join the Conversation

“At its core, We the People is about creating space for meaningful civic dialogue across disciplines, institutions and communities,” said Deborah Rutter, vice provost for the arts at Duke. “By bringing together scholarship, creative practice and lived experience, the initiative invites deeper reflection on how democracy is practiced and what belonging looks like.” 

We the People will see new programs and partnerships unfolding throughout 2026. Early collaborations include work with the Durham Arts Council, which will incorporate We the People into its annual downtown CenterFest celebration from September 19-20, when the Declarations will be on view at the nearby Durham County Main Library. More initiatives across Duke, including Duke Arts programming connected to We the People, will be announced soon.

See updates, event listings and opportunities to engage at wethepeople.duke.edu, where the public can take part in ongoing conversations, experiences and creative responses. Community groups interested in collaborating are encouraged to email wethepeople@duke.edu.