Over 100 Historical Documents Focusing on American Independence at Grey Art Museum

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, the Berkley Collection presents The Declaration of Independence: Long Trail to Liberty at The Grey Art Museum at New York University telling the story of the troubled relationship between the British government and its colonies.

Using more than 100 historical documents, the exhibition offers context for the colonies’ arguments for freedom that culminated in the Declaration of Independence, focusing on the practical conflicts with the Crown that pushed the colonies toward revolution.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is an original printing of the Declaration of Independence, pulled from John Dunlap’s press in Philadelphia between the evening of July 4 and the early morning hours of July 5, 1776, one of only 26 surviving today. 

“The grievances of the Declaration of Independence were not merely complaints,” said Joseph Newman, Head Curator at The Berkley Collection, “they were the reasons, assembled through time, that converted the concept of independence from an idea into a moral imperative. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, these arguments still resonate today. They shaped the country we’ve become.”

Other highlights include:

• a manuscript draft of the 1765 Stamp Act
• a manuscript agreement from 1582 for discovering and settling land in the New World under Queen Elizabeth I which later informed Thomas Jefferson’s argument for independence
• a copy of Phillis Wheatley’s Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, signed in her own hand
• manuscript instructions from King George III to William and Richard Howe, the King’s military leaders in North America, tasking them with repairing the peace
• the first printing of the Articles of Confederation, the young nation’s first governing document which formally cemented the name the United States of America

The Declaration of Independence: Long Trail to Liberty also features an examination of the Declaration’s legacy, which focuses on the popularity of decorative reproductions of the Declaration during 'The Era of Good Feelings', the period from 1815 to 1825 when the Declaration of Independence, as both text and object, became an integral part of American culture and identity.

“The rare books, manuscripts, and other documents in this exhibition reflect a collection I have built over 50 years, exploring the United States of America as a place, a country, and an idea,” said William R. Berkley, President of The Berkley Collection. “The Collection’s holdings and the exhibition demonstrate my strong belief that the study of historical books, documents, and related materials leads to a better understanding of our shared history.”

The exhibition runs through July 10.