PRESS RELEASE
NYU and the Berkley Collection Present “The Declaration of Independence: Long Trail to Liberty”
NYU News, April 21, 2026
Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence, the special exhibition runs May 8–July 10 and features an original printing of the Declaration of Independence
New York University and the Berkley Collection present The Declaration of Independence: Long Trail to Liberty at NYU’s Grey Art Museum May 8 through July 10, 2026. The exhibition explores the heart of the Declaration—the list of 27 justifications for revolution, known as “the grievances.” By examining each grievance in the context of numerous historical documents, letters, maps, and more, the exhibition reveals how Thomas Jefferson and the members of the Second Continental Congress turned recent and historical crises facing the colonists into a powerful argument for independence.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, the exhibition tells the story of the increasingly troubled relationship between the British government and its colonies in the lead-up to the Revolutionary War. Including more than 100 historical documents of paramount importance, it provides valuable context for the colonies’ arguments for freedom that culminated in the Declaration of Independence. While nearly everyone is familiar with the Declaration’s famous preamble, The Declaration of Independence: Long Trail to Liberty will take visitors beyond “WE hold these Truths to be self-evident” and into the practical conflicts with the Crown that pushed the colonies toward revolution.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is an original printing of the Declaration of Independence, pulled from John Dunlap’s press in Philadelphia between the evening of July 4 and the early morning hours of July 5, 1776—one of only 26 surviving today. By viewing this founding document alongside historical evidence of the events that necessitated its writing, visitors are invited to think about how creeping acts of tyranny—such as interference with private property and commerce, the suspension of colonial legislatures, and the massacre of everyday citizens—gradually made resistance inevitable.
“The grievances of the Declaration of Independence were not merely complaints,” said Joseph Newman, head curator at the Berkley Collection, “they were the reasons, assembled through time, that converted the concept of independence from an idea into a moral imperative. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, these arguments still resonate today. They shaped the country we’ve become.”
Among the highlights are a manuscript draft of the 1765 Stamp Act; a manuscript agreement from 1582 for discovering and settling land in the New World under Queen Elizabeth I, which later informed Thomas Jefferson’s argument for independence; and a copy of Phillis Wheatley’s Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, signed in her own hand in rebuke of those who doubted a young Black woman could write such excellent verse.
Also featured are manuscript instructions from King George III to William and Richard Howe, the King’s military leaders in North America, tasking them with repairing the peace; and the first printing of the Articles of Confederation, the young nation’s first governing document, which not only represents the first attempt at truly independent self-governance, but formally cemented the name the United States of America.
The Declaration of Independence: Long Trail to Liberty concludes with an examination of the Declaration’s legacy, which focuses on the popularity of decorative reproductions of the Declaration during “The Era of Good Feelings.” This era refers to the period from 1815 to 1825, when the Declaration of Independence, as both text and object, became an integral part of American culture and identity.
“The rare books, manuscripts, and other documents in this exhibition reflect a collection I have built over fifty years, exploring the United States of America as a place, a country, and an idea,” said William R. Berkley, president of the Berkley Collection. “The Collection’s holdings and the exhibition demonstrate my strong belief that the study of historical books, documents, and related materials leads to a better understanding of our shared history.”
The Grey Art Museum is located at 18 Cooper Square in New York City. Hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Please visit the Berkley Collection website(LINK: theberkley.org) for additional information.
About The Berkley Collection
The Berkley Collection preserves, exhibits, and makes available for study important books, manuscripts, broadsides, and other materials that have shaped the course of American history.
About New York University
Founded in 1831, NYU is one of the world’s foremost research universities (with more than $1 billion per year in research expenditures, it is ranked seventh among private research universities) and is a member of the selective Association of American Universities. NYU has degree-granting university campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai and has 13 other global academic sites, including London, Paris, Florence, Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, and Accra, and US sites in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA, and Tulsa, OK. Through its numerous schools and colleges, NYU is a leader in conducting research and providing education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, mathematics, business, dentistry, engineering, education, nursing, the cinematic and performing arts, music and studio arts, public service, social work, public health, and professional studies, among other areas.