Museum of the American Revolution to Cite Abolitionists in “The Declaration’s Journey” Who Invoked the Words of the American Declaration of Independence in the Fight Against Slavery

Special Exhibition Opening Oct. 18, 2025 Will Include Manuscript and Printed Documents Linked to Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, Frederick Douglass, John Brown, and More

The Museum of the American Revolution today announces new details of its loan acquisitions for The Declaration’s Journey – a special exhibition running from Oct. 18, 2025 through Jan. 3, 2027 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence – related to abolitionists in the 18th and 19th centuries who believed in the Declaration’s promise of equality and worked tirelessly to strengthen the nation’s commitment to that promise.

When first published in July 1776, the Declaration asserted the American nation’s right to independence as well as its people’s natural right to equality. However, the document and its assertion that “all men are created equal” brought forth questions and sparked debate about if the new nation’s “inalienable rights” were truly promised to everyone – and the question and fulfilment of such promises remain at the center of political and public arguments even today.

Some of the first people to publicly quote and debate the Declaration in the early United States were Black abolitionists such as Lemuel Haynes, Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and James Forten. They argued passionately for an end to slavery and the slave trade and greater liberties for people of color, citing the contradictory assertations in the language of the Declaration. Their arguments helped expand the American Revolution against British rule into a radical movement for personal rights. The Declaration’s Journey will include a manuscript petition from 1799 signed by Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, and dozens of other free Black Philadelphians, on loan from the National Archives and Records Administration through October 2026. In the petition, the signers condemned the slave trade and called on Congress to amend or abolish the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793, stating that its provisions violated the “inalienable rights” of those who sought freedom from enslavement.

In the first half of the 19th century, the language and ideals of the Declaration continued to proliferate and influence international revolutions and rights movements. At the same time, both national leaders and everyday Americans debated whether the nation was even living up to the promise of equality spelled out in its founding document. Frederick Douglass, who was born into slavery and became one of the most influential abolitionists and civil rights leaders of this time, cherished the Declaration’s principles of liberty and equality. But he also questioned and rallied against the fact that the United States supported independence movements and the spread of liberty abroad but refused to grant those same freedoms to African Americans. The Declaration’s Journey will feature a first-edition printing of Douglass’ famous “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?” speech delivered on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York. The document will be on loan from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History for the full run of the exhibition.

Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., the great-great-great grandson of Douglass who is Co-Founder and President of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI), said The Declaration’s Journey and the important, informative role the exhibition will play in the Semiquincentennial celebration will help more Americans understand the diverse people and viewpoints that contributed to our founding and as well as where we are today as a nation. Through the FDFI, which was established in 2007 by Morris and his mother, Nettie Washington Douglass, Morris carries out his family legacy by providing education and other prevention tactics for what he considers a modern-day form of slavery – human trafficking across the world.

“If Frederick Douglass were to come back today, we don’t know what he would say or what he would do,” Morris said. “But, because his blood flows through my veins, I’d like to take the liberty to say I think that he’d be pleased that there’s been progress in our country, but that he’d be outraged that there’s still so much work to be done.”

The Declaration’s Journey will also include the manuscript of John Brown’s "A Declaration of Liberty, By the Representatives of the Slave Population of the United States of America," on loan from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for the full run of the exhibition. Dated July 4, 1859, and written out on a scroll, Brown modeled his declaration on the text of the Declaration of Independence and called for an absolute end to slavery. Brown is best known for leading an ill-fated raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry with the intent of instigating a massive revolt by enslaved people and initiating a full-blown war against slavery. Brown’s raid took place only a few months after he wrote his declaration. Captured at Harpers Ferry, Brown was then executed for treason in December 1859.

“To best represent the full breadth of the Declaration’s journey, we must recount the lengths by which abolitionists went to hold the early nation’s leaders and its everyday citizens accountable for the words and ideals it put forth,” said Matthew Skic, Senior Curator at the Museum of the American Revolution. “Their stories of perseverance in the face of racial prejudice, violence, and injustice are remarkable and thought-provoking, especially as efforts for equality and justice continue today. The Museum is excited to showcase this important part of the history and enduring influence of the Declaration of Independence.”

About Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives

The Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI) is a nonprofit organization founded by direct descendants of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington. Headquartered in Rochester, NY, FDFI is dedicated to advancing racial equity, combating human trafficking, and promoting social justice through education. As a modern abolitionist and anti-racist organization, FDFI leads the charge in human trafficking prevention initiatives and works to equip young people with the tools to create lasting change in the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

About Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776