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Williams College Museum of Art Presents
Manifestos: American Dreams and Their Founding Documents
January 19, 2008 and ongoing
Press release
One of Williams’ greatest treasures are the founding documents of the United
States of America, including the Declaration of Independence, the British Reply
to the Declaration, the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the Constitution
of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers. Usually
housed in Chapin’s Rare Book Library, these documents are on view at the
museum while a new library is being built. They are displayed in the galleries
devoted to American art, with works that will give context to how they have shaped
over 200 years of national identity.
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The Founding Documents of the United States
of America. Installation view at the Williams College
Museum of Art. Photograph by Arthur Evans © Williams
College Museum of Art 2008.
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The Founding Documents of the United States of America. Installation
view at the Williams College Museum of Art. Photograph by Arthur Evans © Williams
College Museum of Art 2008.
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The Declaration of Independence
Philadelphia: John Dunlap, July 4, 1776
Courtesy of Chapin Rare Book Library, Williams College.
Purchased through the generosity of friends and alumni of Williams College.
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British Reply to the Declaration
Viscount Admiral Richard Howe (1726-1799) and General William Howe (1729-1814)
Courtesy of Chapin Rare Book Library, Williams College.
Gift of J. Brooks Hoffman, M.D., Class of 1940.
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The Bill of Rights
House of Representatives draft version
New York: T. Greenleaf, August 24, 1789
Courtesy of Chapin Rare Book Library, Williams College.
Gift of Alfred C. Chapin, Class of 1869.
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