Here’s how to view a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence in NYC
Images courtesy of Jonathan Blanc/The New York Public Library, unless noted otherwise
The New York Public Library on Monday released the first batch of free tickets to view a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence during America’s 250th anniversary this July. As part of an exhibit commemorating the nation’s founding, the library will grant limited access to one of the few surviving “fair copies” of the document handwritten by Thomas Jefferson, on view at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building from July 1 through July 7. Tickets are released online every Monday through June 29.
The draft manuscript is held in the library’s Manuscripts and Archives Division and is notable for including a lengthy condemnation of the slave trade, later removed to secure support from delegates in Georgia and South Carolina.
Completed on July 1, 1776, and revised before its ratification three days later, the “fair copy” presents the unaltered text as Thomas Jefferson originally wrote it. It is one of only four surviving intact copies, as 6sqft previously reported.
Jefferson was reportedly so upset by the removal of his critique of the slave trade that, after Congress ratified the document, he handwrote copies of the original version submitted to Congress, underlining the passages that had been removed, and sent them to friends.
It is believed, though not proven, that the library’s copy is the one Jefferson sent to George Wythe, his former law professor, according to the NYPL.
In August, the library announced it would display the document as part of its broader programming for America’s semiquincentennial.
Other events include “Declaring America: 1776 and Beyond,” a free exhibition exploring the history of the American Revolution from 1776 to the present. The exhibit runs from June 15 through January 10, 2027, and showcases hundreds of items from the library’s collections.
Highlights include correspondence between Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, iconic ACT UP posters, and works by artists such as Jenny Holzer, Kara Walker, and Kerry James Marshall, as 6sqft previously reported.
The library will also debut a limited-edition NYPL card, publish a special anniversary reading list, give away books, and offer free, instant audio and e-book downloads of select titles.
The NYPL has also collaborated with TALEA Beer Co. on a special beverage tied to the celebrations. Announced Monday, the limited-edition “Liberty Lager” is inspired by a recipe recorded in a 1757 notebook by George Washington during his time as a colonel in the Virginia militia. The drink is now available at TALEA taprooms, as well as select NYC restaurants and retail outlets.
“As we mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, The NYPL is opening its archives, inviting all to come and discuss and experience our shared history—and to taste it,” Brent Reidy, the NYPL’s Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries, said.
“By bringing George Washington’s beer recipe out of our archives and into the pint glasses of New Yorkers, we can connect our collection to the public we serve,” he added.
NYPL’s celebrations join a slate of similar events planned across the five boroughs this summer. From July 3 through July 8, “Sail4th 250” will bring the largest fleet of tall ships ever to sail into New York Harbor, ushering in six days of festivities.
The event is expected to draw more than eight million visitors and generate a record-breaking $2.85 billion in economic impact. Programming will also include a special U.S. Navy Fleet Week, a Blue Angels air show, and more.
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