ABILENE, Kan. – Hear ye, hear ye! A re-enactment of the Declaration of Independence being delivered to the colonies will take place at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum at 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26. The Abilene High School band will welcome the colonial-appareled horseback rider with patriotic music. A brief reading of the document will be performed on the steps of the Museum.
The public is invited to attend a number of activities scheduled to honor this historic document. The week begins with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 25. The reception will include remarks by Norman Lear, a performance reading by the Great Plains Theatre, and private viewing of the Declaration of Independence. Seating is limited and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made by calling 785.263.6700 or email stacy.meuli@nara.gov.
The Declaration of Independence Dunlap Broadside, owned by the Lear Family Foundation, is one of only 25 surviving copies from the original printing of 200. This broadside will be on exhibit from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. General adult admission has been reduced to $5 for this special event with free admission offered to ages 18 and under. Tickets must be purchased in the Visitors Center. Guests will have a chance to learn more about our nation’s birth certificate during their visit with new exhibits developed by Museum staff detailing the history of the American Revolution.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of our visitors,” states Karl Weissenbach, Library director. “I hope all Kansans can take advantage of this special program.”
Other activities include onsite voter registration in the Museum and documentary films shown in the Museum Lobby, 2nd gallery and Visitors Center Auditorium. The Hitching Post restaurant will provide $5 meals in the kiosk near the Boyhood Home from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
Visitors can also interact with historical re-enactors and put their own signature on an oversized replica of the Declaration of Independence. No photography of the exhibit is allowed; however, visitors may take a photo with the oversized replica. A documentary film crew will be filming during the entirety of the exhibit and guests may be requested to share their thoughts and impressions during an interview.
Finally, a showing of the movie, “National Treasure,” completes the week of the Library’s celebration of the Declaration. It will run at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, in the Visitors Center auditorium.