As Princeton marks its role in Revolution-era history, numerous public events are being held across campus and in the surrounding community to recognize America’s 250th.
The marquee Princeton University Library exhibit “Nursery of Rebellion” showcases holdings from the University’s archives — including rare Dunlap copies of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution — along with documents and artifacts on loan from other local and national institutions.
This spring, the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and the Department of African American Studies both presented scholarly panels and speakers reflecting on the semiquincentennial, and others are planned by a number of departments in the coming academic year.
Details on University and community exhibits, lectures and other programs is below.
University programs
Princeton University Library
- “‘Nursery of Rebellion’: Princeton and the American Revolution” features original printings of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It was curated by Michael Blaakman, associate professor of history, and Gabriel Swift, librarian for early American collections. The free exhibit is open to the public through July 12 at Firestone Library’s Ellen and Leonard Milberg Gallery. Gallery hours are available on the Princeton University Library website; the exhibit will be open on July 4. A digital exhibition is also available.
- In a related public lecture series, “Revolution Up Close,” visiting authors “offer new perspectives on the American Revolution by zooming in on an individual life, a close-knit community, or a single document.” On June 30, Robert Parkinson, professor of history at Binghamton University, discusses his book, “Tyrants and Rogues: Understanding the Declaration of Independence,” examining the Declaration’s list of grievances.
- “Real and Remembered: Princetonians Caught Between Study and Revolution” explores campus and student experiences before, during and after the war. Curated by Princeton University Library staff April Armstrong, Ashley Augustyniak and Rosalba Varallo Recchia, it runs through April 30, 2027, at the Mudd Manuscript Library.
Princeton University Art Museum
- The museum’s Wilmerding Pavilion of American Art displays the monumental Charles Willson Peale portrait “George Washington at the Battle of Princeton,” along with nearly 200 other works. The museum is open daily and free for all; it closes for several holidays annually, including July 4.
- Also at the museum, “‘What Is an American?’: Artists Reflect,” curated by Jun Nakamura, assistant curator of prints and drawings, features “works on paper that grapple with questions of American identity” and runs through Nov. 1.
- “Joyce J. Scott: Declarations,” curated by Laura M. Giles, Heather and Paul G. Haaga Jr., Class of 1970, Curator of Prints and Drawings, showcases works by multimedia artist Joyce J. Scott. It opens Aug. 15 and runs through Jan. 10, 2027, at Art@Bainbridge in Bainbridge House.
Humanities Initiative
Co-organized by Princeton’s Humanities Initiative, “Re-visioning America” is a community-based arts exhibition and programming series in collaboration with the Princeton University Art Museum, the Arts Council of Princeton, Morven Museum and Garden, the Princeton Public Library, the Historical Society of Princeton and the Princeton Garden Theatre, among others.
Events exploring “how artists from a range of backgrounds grapple with the complexity of America and its histories” run through fall, including lectures, film screenings, a gallery crawl and workshops.
Locations vary. The full schedule is on the Humanities Initiative website.
