Declaration 1776

Seneca to Host National Declaration of Independence Exhibition

Declaration 1776 will be on view October 10 through November 8 at the Seneca Free Library

The Seneca Free Library will host “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy,” a national traveling exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The exhibit will be on view October 10 through November 8, 2026, at the Seneca Free Library, 606 Main St., and will be available for viewing during normal library hours. The Kansas tour of “Declaration 1776” is presented by Humanities Kansas.

When the Declaration of Independence was issued, the idea that “all men are created equal” was revolutionary. The document unleashed an open-ended force that would shape modern history. Around the world, other countries have declared independence using the United States Declaration of 1776 as a model.

“Declaration 1776” uses primary sources to show how Americans and people across the world have been inspired by the Declaration in their pursuit of equality and self-determination. The Kansas traveling exhibition also includes “Kansas 1776,” a 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, Humanities Kansas executive director. “We look forward to robust community conversations about America’s founding document and its impact on the world.”

Seneca is one of 46 Kansas communities hosting “Declaration 1776” in 2026. For a full schedule of locations and dates, visit humanitieskansas.org.

The “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy” traveling exhibition is made possible in Kansas with support from the Kansas Arts Commission and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.