Skip to main content

Declaration of Independence: Rare Prints on Display

Date: Fri, Sep 18, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Venue: Main Library – Main Library - Auditorium - Upper Corridor 2nd Floor, Durham

Price: Free

Category: Community

We invite you to view rare 19th-century prints of the Declaration of Independence at Durham County Main Library. As part of We the People: A Duke & Durham Initiative, Durham County Main Library and the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University are presenting three historic copies of the Declaration of Independence on loan from the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore how the nation's founding document was visually rendered and circulated in early American history. 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. Visitors can also engage with interactive activities and explore featured library resources on display alongside the historic prints. Gallery Hours at Durham County Main Library September 8, 2026 – September 20, 2026 Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM *Gallery entry is on the 2nd floor of Main Library* Group Visits & Planning Your Entry Pre-registered group visits (10+ people) take place Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM. Groups of 10+ may sign up for self-guided times here. Individual visitors are welcome at all times, but please note you may experience a brief wait to enter if the gallery is at capacity or if a large group is inside. Read With Us US Constitution/Declaration of Independence Childrens' Booklist US Constitution/Declaration of Independence Adult Booklist Exhibition Related Programming Redeeming the Promise of the Declaration of Independence: Louis Austin, the Black Press, and the 20th Century Freedom Struggle - Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 6 p.m. Her Fight, His Name: The Stor

Raleigh Mom Club — Raleigh, NC

Community · Durham

Declaration of Independence: Rare Prints on Display

“Best for kids in grades 4 and up who are already studying US history.”

When
Next Friday
Fri, Sep 18, 2026
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ages
All ages
Price
Free
durhamlibraryfreefamily friendlykid friendlyteen
Declaration of Independence: Rare Prints on Display
Community

Declaration of Independence: Rare Prints on Display is a free historical exhibition at the Durham County Main Library featuring three rare 19th-century prints of America's founding document. This exhibit is best suited for upper elementary students and teenagers who are currently studying American history in school. Located on the second floor of the library in the auditorium corridor, the display is completely free to view and requires no tickets. You can park in the library's dedicated parking deck, which offers free parking for the first four hours. Since this is a quiet library setting, plan for a shorter, focused visit rather than a full-day outing. It makes a smart weekend stop because it offers a tangible connection to history lessons without requiring a trip to Washington, D.C. You can easily pair a quick viewing with a trip to the children's department downstairs to pick up some library books, making it an easy, educational addition to your Friday routine.

View on durham-library

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the exhibit located inside the library?
You can find the prints on the second floor of the Durham County Main Library, displayed along the corridor near the auditorium.
Is there a cost to attend, and do we need tickets?
No, the exhibition is entirely free and open to the public during regular library hours, with no reservations or tickets required.
What is the parking situation at the Durham County Main Library?
The library has an attached parking deck where visitors can park for free for up to four hours.

Last updated

Never miss a weekend event — get Thursday's family picks free

FREE

Next Friday

Directions

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Declaration of Independence: Rare Prints on Display runs Fri, Sep 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. It repeats daily.

Getting There

Main Library – Main Library - Auditorium - Upper Corridor 2nd Floor is in Durham, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at Main Library – Main Library - Auditorium - Upper Corridor 2nd Floor →

What to Bring

Nothing but the kids — this one's free, with no tickets to buy.

Community Guides

All guides →
Seasonal

Where to See Santa in the Triangle (2026): Confirmed Dates, Free Sightings, and What to Book Now

A local mom's honest guide to seeing Santa around Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill in 2026: the free town tree lightings and parades with confirmed dates, the train rides and light shows that sell out, mall Santa reservations, and quieter options for sensory-sensitive kids.

10 min read

Arts & Culture

The Nutcracker and Holiday Shows in the Triangle (2026): Which One for Which Kid

Four Nutcrackers, a Cirque du Soleil holiday show, A Christmas Carol and Cinderella - a local mom's guide to Triangle holiday performances in 2026, sorted by age policy, run time, ticket price and which ones have sensory-friendly performances.

10 min read