As part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, will host the grand opening of a new library modeled after Philadelphia's Independence Hall.
According to the university's website, the new library was designed to reflect the historic building where the Declaration of Independence was debated and signed. During the college’s “Spirit of America” event July 4, visitors will be able to tour the replica of Independence Hall's Assembly Room as well as a replica of the Liberty Bell.
Tom Hoopes, vice president for University Relations, said in a June 22 essay published by the college that the design reflects Benedictine's desire to highlight the principles that shaped the nation's founding as America marks its semiquincentennial. He added that the nation's future depends upon the principles in America's founding documents and said Catholics are uniquely positioned to help preserve and strengthen those ideals.
The free event will feature historical exhibits, children's activities, and public readings of the Declaration of Independence. Costumed reenactors portraying George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Betsy Ross are also scheduled to appear throughout the morning.
According to the university, the celebration will also include an exhibition of historic documents connected to the American founding and early republic in partnership with The Remnant Trust, an educational foundation that maintains a collection of rare historical documents focused on liberty and human dignity.
The collection includes editions of John Locke's Two Treatises of Government, Thomas Paine's Common Sense, The Federalist Papers, and a first-edition printing of the U.S. Constitution.
The exhibit will also feature documents related to the development of the American republic, including writings by John Adams, records from the first session of the U.S. Senate, and an official account of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
According to the college's website, the July 4 celebration is open to the public and will run from 9 a.m. to noon.