National Declaration of Independence Exhibition Coming to KWU in February

A national traveling exhibition commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is coming to Salina next month.

Kansas Wesleyan University will host "Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy" from Feb. 7 through March 8 in the Student Activities Center. The exhibition is free and open to the public during the building's standard hours.

The traveling exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History uses primary sources to show how the Declaration of Independence has inspired Americans and people worldwide in their pursuit of equality and self-determination.

The Kansas version includes a special "Kansas 1776" section exploring what was happening on the land that would become Kansas 250 years ago.

"'Declaration 1776' is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Kansas communities to participate in the national commemoration of America's 250th right in their own hometowns," said Julie Mulvihill, executive director of Humanities Kansas, which is presenting the Kansas tour. "We look forward to robust community conversations about America's founding document and its impact on the world."

KWU is the only Salina venue selected to host the exhibition, which will visit 46 Kansas locations throughout 2026.

"It's a great opportunity for KWU, and for our community, to have this exhibit on campus," said Dr. Tonia Compton, KWU assistant professor of history and organizer of the university's participation. "We look forward to seeing not only members of the Coyote community, but students from around the region and others coming to campus to participate."

The exhibition is made possible in Kansas with support from the Kansas Arts Commission and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.

For more information, contact Compton at [email protected] or visit humanitieskansas.org for a full schedule of locations and dates.