The League of Women Voters of Wheaton (LWV Wheaton) is proud to sponsor Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy, a traveling panel exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, as our community marks the United States’ Semiquicentennial. As we approach America’s 250th birthday, this exhibit invites our community to revisit the bold ideals of the Declaration—and to reflect on how each generation has worked to expand the promise of democracy.

Declaration 1776 will open at the DuPage County Historical Museum in Wheaton on March 4, and move to various public library locations and other free community destinations over the course of 2026. As you plan your visit, please check each location’s website for hours, parking, and accessibility.

Dates and locations:

• March 4-March 30.  DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton IL 60187
• April 8-April 29.  College of DuPage Library, SRC 3100, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn 60137
• May 8-May 27.  Winfield Public Library, 0S291 Winfield Rd, Winfield, IL 60190
• June 11-July 6.  Wheaton Public Library 225 N. Cross St., Wheaton, IL 60187
• July 15-August 5.  West Chicago Public Library, 118 W. Washington St, West Chicago, IL 60185
• August 17-September 4.  Carol Stream LIbrary,  616 Hiawatha Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
• September 11-September 29. Warrenville Public Library, 28W751 Stafford Place, Warrenville, IL 60555

The exhibit explores the lasting impact of the Declaration of Independence and the revolutionary idea that “all men are created equal,” tracing how the Declaration’s ideals have inspired Americans—and people around the world—in ongoing efforts to expand equality and advance self-determination. Through primary sources, images, and firsthand accounts, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on both the promise of 1776 and the work of democracy across generations.

LWV Wheaton’s sponsorship underscores the League’s long-standing commitment to civic education and to strengthening democracy through nonpartisan voter information and community engagement. The exhibit is designed to be accessible to a broad public audience and serves as a timely opportunity for residents, students, and families to consider the democratic principles at the nation’s founding—and how those principles have been contested and expanded over time.

The League wishes to thank our community partners responsible for hosting the exhibit across DuPage County.