The Finney County Historical Museum’s Front Door Gallery has just opened “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy,” a traveling exhibit provided through the Topeka-based Humanities Kansas organization to mark the 250th birthday of the United States.
On display through July 26, “Declaration 1776” uses primary sources to illustrate how the U.S. Declaration of Independence inspired Americans and people around the world to pursue equality and self-determination. The traveling display also includes a “Kansas 1776” section showing what was happening 250 years ago in the future Sunflower State.
In an age dominated by kings and other monarchs, the idea that “all men are created equal” was revolutionary at the time the declaration was issued 250 years ago, with the nation’s founders unleashing a force that would reshape history. Various other countries have since staked out their own independence with the U.S. Declaration as a model.
Admission to see the exhibit and all other displays is free. Summer exhibit hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, plus 1-5 p.m. Sundays, though the museum will be closed July 4-5 and 13, and the doors will close at 4 p.m. July 11.
The Front Door Gallery is a small space just inside the museum’s main entrance where four to six temporary exhibits are staged each year, supported locally by the Steve Stone Memorial Fund. The museum’s location is 403 S. Fourth Street, inside Garden City’s Finnup Park and adjacent to the pedestrian arches at Lee Richardson Zoo.
“Declaration 1776 is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Kansas communities to participate in the national commemoration of America’s 250th birthday,” said Julie Mulvihill, Humanities Kansas executive director. “We look forward to robust community conversations about America’s founding document and its impact on the world.” The display is also supported by the Kansas Arts Commission and United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.
“Since 1972,” according to Mulvihill, “HK’s programming, grants and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and invite new insights. Together with statewide partners and supporters, HK encourages Kansans to draw on diverse histories, literatures and cultures to create connections with one another and strengthen Kansas communities and our democracy.”
The exhibit was created by the New York-based Gilder Lehrman Institute, founded in 1994 as a non-profit, non-partisan developer of history curriculum and education, drawing on a collection of more than 87,000 original documents and artifacts.
The exhibit follows two previous 2026 short-term displays in the Front Door Gallery, “In Living Color,” which was shown Jan. 20-April 13; and “Signature Quilts,” featured April 23-June 21.
The museum and Garden City Arts will be collaborating on an additional U.S. semiquincentennial exhibit in mid-September to mid-November, entitled “Happy Birthday USA.” That display will feature local artwork, created by children participating at the arts center, on topics of their choice in American history.
The museum also recently showed “Kansas Pioneer Patriots,” another U.S. 250th birthday feature provided by the Kansas Daughters of the American Revolution.
During the present exhibit, free copies of the declaration will be available for visitors to take.
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