AUGUSTA, MAINE – Secretary of State Shenna Bellows today joined Maine Historical Society Executive Director Steve Bromage to open an exhibit of the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence at the Maine State Archives. The Maine State Archives is located in the Maine State Cultural Building at 230 State Street, Augusta, ME.
The exhibit is free and open to the public on the following days:
- Wednesday, October 21, Noon – 5 p.m.
- Thursday, October 22, Noon – 2 p.m.
- Friday, October 23, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Maine Historical Society stewards one of 26 surviving copies of the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence. Approximately 200 copies were printed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, and sent throughout the colonies where they were posted, and/or read out loud. The Dunlap Broadside is on view at the Maine State Archives along with two copies of the Salem Broadside of the Declaration of Independence, made in Salem, Mass. and sent to Maine communities, and the Bangor Historical Society’s Stone engraving of the document.
The Maine Archives is the 15th stop of Maine Historical’s statewide tour to all 16 Maine counties. The tour began in July in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary, mirroring the journey the Declaration made in 1776,
“It has been an amazing and deeply moving experience to talk with and see the reaction that thousands of Mainers from all walks of life are having when they spend time with this document,” said Bromage. “It has been a powerful, emotional mix of anticipation, excitement, appreciation, love for, and commitment to our country.”
“The purpose of the tour is to encourage all Mainers to consider the Declaration’s ideals for themselves and to be part of a statewide conversation – what do those works mean to you and what are our responsibilities as citizens?” Bromage said. “Every voice and person in Maine matters, contributes, and has the power to shape our country’s story. The words of the Declaration of Independence give everyone a seat at the table. That’s what this anniversary is about.”
Secretary Bellows thanked the Maine Historical Society for their efforts to preserve and protect the important document while making it available and accessible to all Mainers.
“The Maine Historical Society has invested a lot to make sure the Declaration is available in all 16 counties, and we are so honored and proud that the Maine State Archives is part of this historic moment and tour,” Secretary Bellows said. “To be able to view documents online is a valuable way to preserve them and make them widely available, but there is nothing like the seeing of the actual documents themselves and to view the history that lives within them.”
“As we come closer to election season where there is a lot of talk about democracy, freedom, the principles of the Constitution and what that means, to have one of the original copies and to view those words and reflect on their meaning takes on special meaning,” Secretary Bellows said.
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