1776: Road to the Declaration
This exhibit reveals that in 1776, the future was anything but certain.
1776: Road to the Declaration
In 1776, war was raging, loyalties were divided, and no one knew how the story would end. This new exhibit, opened in celebration of the Declaration of Independence's 250th anniversary, explores the challenges and uncertainties of the year the United States proclaimed independence.
Look Back at the Year That Changed History
“1776: Road to the Declaration” takes you through four interconnected settings — Virginia, Monticello, Philadelphia, and the new nation struggling to define itself — each one exploring the turbulent year through different perspectives.
You'll encounter:
- Rare documents
- Period weapons
- A bust of Thomas Jefferson
- Archeological artifacts unearthed from Mulberry Row, the center of industry on the Monticello plantation.
- A rare surviving copy of the Declaration of Independence anchors the exhibit.
The People of 1776
The people living during this period didn’t know they were making history, but the world was forever changed by their actions. Meet Thomas Jefferson at age 33, and his fellow delegates as they charted the course for a new nation. Meet Robert Hemmings, an enslaved teenager who traveled with Jefferson to Philadelphia in 1776. Meet Martha Jefferson, a young wife and mother supporting the Revolution on the homefront. Meet Oconostota, a Cherokee leader defending his home. And meet Lord Dunmore, a governor who fought against those who he felt were disloyal to their King. Each fought for what they thought was justice, even though for many people, the laws and culture of the time did not recognize their equal rights. The exhibit encourages us to better understand the ideals, contradictions, and unfinished work at the heart of the American experiment.
A Document That Survived Over 200 Years
As the United States approached its 50th anniversary in 1826, it had come through economic, diplomatic, and social challenges. At that time, the Declaration of Independence became a symbol of national strength and unity. In 1820, the Secretary of State commissioned official copies of the Declaration of Independence to be printed that featured the signatures. Of the 201 copies made, fewer than 50 survive today. The copy on display at Monticello belonged to James Madison.
Whether you visit before touring the site or linger here afterward, the exhibit highlights the struggles, hopes, and dreams of all who strive to realize the ideals of the Declaration.
The rare copy of the Declaration of Independence. In 1823, printer William J. Stone produced 201 exact copies of the original Declaration of Independence, complete with signatures. This document, one of fewer than 50 examples surviving today, originally belonged to James Madison.
1776: Road to the Declaration Photo Gallery
Imagery and architectural prints flank Jefferson's optimistic quote about dreaming of the future, leading into the Philadelphia section beyond.
Learn about daily life in the Jefferson household through objects such as Martha Jefferson Randolph's notebook, family timepieces, and other original personal items.
Visitors browse the full sweep of the "1776" exhibition, with the Declaration's closing passage displayed on the Philadelphia section panel.
Artifacts discovered from excavations across the plantation provide a glimpse into the daily life of enslaved workers.
During the Revolution, colonists risked their lives and livelihoods to fight for their independence, using the power of quill pens to muskets.
