On Presidents Day 2026, the University of Virginia hosted a special event, “Declaration Under the Dome” in the Rotunda as part of the University’s ongoing UVA250 celebration. For one day only, UVA Library staff members moved an original 1776 copy of the Declaration of Independence from its secure vault in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library to the Rotunda Dome Room for public viewing.
The UVA Library acted as the essential steward of this history. The McGregor Dunlap broadside — one of only 26 in existence — is maintained by the Special Collections Library. Curator of Exhibitions Holly Robertson described the display in the Rotunda (Jefferson’s original library space) as a “full circle moment,” stating in UVA Today: “This document encapsulates the library’s full mission, from collecting, preserving and describing, to understanding where it came from and providing access.”
The event, sponsored by the Office of the President, drew a massive crowd of approximately 2,000 visitors, with lines stretching deep into the West Lawn. The celebration featured “flash seminars,” music, and appearances by Cavman and a Thomas Jefferson reenactor. It also sparked significant local media buzz:
- UVA Today noted the electric atmosphere: “Thomas Jefferson and Cavman held the floor Monday ... But the real star of the show was a nearly 250-year-old original copy of the Declaration of Independence.”
- WVTF/Radio IQ captured the public’s awe: “It’s a really cool experience ... it’s quite surreal to be in such close proximity to an original copy.”
- WVIR (29 News) quoted Brenda Gunn, Director of Special Collections: “This is what we do: preserve documents that have such an impact on individuals and communities.”
- And in the Cavalier Daily, UVA President Beardsley noted that “attendees may not realize that a copy of the Declaration is always on display at the University.”
The Declaration is always on display at UVA Library
UVA Library is one of the few institutions to have two early printings of the Declaration of Independence. If you missed the Dunlap broadside event in the Rotunda, you can always view the Library’s other copy of the Declaration in Special Collections’ permanent exhibition, “Declaring Independence: Creating and Re-creating America’s Document.” In addition to the early printing of the Declaration, this exhibition features letters, documents, and a documentary film. It is located on the first floor of the Special Collections Library; visit our website for hours and location information.