America250 Events and Exhibits - University Libraries

Celebrate America's 250th Year with Us

The University Libraries and the department of Museums, Archives, Rare Books (MARB) are working together to continue the celebration of America250 with the following exhibits and events this fall.

Exhibits on Display in the Sturgis Library

Ground Floor

We the People: The Documents That Made Our Nation

On display: Now through September 2026

This 10-panel traveling exhibit premiered in September 2024 during Constitution Week as a companion piece to our newly restored 1843 facsimile of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibit, curated by MARB & Libraries Associate Vice Provost Catherine Lewis and Rare Books Curator JoyEllen Williams, underscores the enduring power of print in shaping our nation’s history and freedom struggles. 

Athenaeum Gallery, Second Floor

Cobb County Commemorates the Revolution

On display: June through September 2026

This America250 exhibit was installed at the end of June and was curated by KSU history major and Williams Rare Book Museum Mattord Scholar Andrew Bramblett. This exhibit looks at how Cobb County residents celebrated July 4 in the years 1876, 1926, and 1976, along with how our school celebrated the Bicentennial. Items from both the University Archives and the Williams Rare Book Museum are displayed, along with a collection of library books that focus on revolutionary era topics and people.

A painting of the Founding Fathers of the United States

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! American Independence in the News

On display: Early September through May 2027

The former colonists who broke from Great Britain quickly learned that gaining freedom and creating a government were very different things. This exhibit, developed by MARB team members Catherine Lewis, Kate Matheny, and Mad Dworschak, examines how these debates unfolded in print – from broadsides to pamphlets to newspapers – as the founders sought to create a new nation. The panels tell the story of the creation and ratification of the U.S. Constitution and are supplemented by display cases featuring the tools of late 18th century printing and sample documents from the period.

Memorializing the Adams Family

On display: Early September through November 2026

The MARB Curatorial Affairs team worked with the Adams Memorial Foundation (AMF) to develop a traveling exhibit focused on the Adams family, including President John Adams, First Lady Abigail Adams, President John Quincy Adams, and First Lady Louisa Adams. That exhibit will travel across the country to increase awareness for the proposed Adams memorial in Washington, D.C. We are pleased to have our own version of the exhibit on display this fall to help us commemorate this special anniversary year. Read more in this press release from the Museums, Archives and Rare Book department.

Constitution Week Events

Designing for Democracy Panel

Monday, Sept. •  12:10-1:30 pm

Willson Student Center, Marietta Campus

Join us for a conversation on how architecture and design can promeote inclusion, accessibilirty, and civic participation. Together, we'll explore how thoughtfully designed spaces can create greater opportunies for everyone to connect, participate, and have a voice in our community.

Panelists

Michael Carroll, Architecture

Keif Schleifer, Architecture

Voting booths with the america flag and the word vote

SGIA Faculty Panel & Voter Registration Day

Tuesday, Sept. 15 •  12:30-1:30 pm
The Nest, First Floor, Sturgis Library (Kennesaw)

In partnership with the School of Government and International Affairs and the department of Student Leadership, the University Libraries will host a faculty panel to discuss hot topic in our government. Topic and panelists will be announced soon. We will also have a voter registration table outside the room to encourage students to register to vote.

Summer the corgi being pet by en event participant

A Corgi’s Take on the Constitution

Wednesdays, September 16 •  1:30 – 3:00 pm
Outside Sturgis Library (Kennesaw)

Wednesday, September 23 •  1:30 – 3:00 pm
Outside Johnson Library (Marietta)

Back by popular demand, the University Libraries’ therapy Corgi, Summer, and her little brother Winston (therapy Corgi in training) will visit both campuses to give students a chance to ponder the Constitution from a dog’s perspective. There will be snacks, sticker surveys, stickers, and a chance to check your voter registration status and location. All are welcome to stop by for some sweet snuggles and interesting conversations.

A faculty speaker at a podium speaking to event participants

The Adams Family Remembered (Constitution Day)

Thursday, September 17 • 1:00 – 2:00 pm
The Athenaeum, First Floor, Sturgis Library (Kennesaw)

Partnering with the Department of History and Philosophy, History Professor & Adams Scholar Marianne Holdzkom will deliver an insightful presentation about John and Abigail Adams and how they shaped the nation’s founding. Holdzkom will discuss her role on the curatorial team that developed the Adams Family exhibit in our Athenaeum Gallery as well as her book, Remembering John Adams, which explores Adams in scholarship, public memory, and pop culture.

Revolutionary Recipes

Monday, September 21 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Nest, First Floor, Sturgis Library (Kennesaw)

In celebration of our country’s 250th year, the Williams Rare Book Museum (WRBM) and the Department of History and Philosophy are partnering with University Dining to explore the culinary history of the late 1700s, through a display of rare cookbooks from the museum collection.

Come hear from a historian who will discuss the food and dining options were during early America. A member of The Commons culinary team will also share how a historic recipe was recreated for the campus community. You can also peruse the cookbooks and get any questions answered by a rare book expert.

Afterward, head over to The Commons to purchase a full serving of the special dish at the Globe Trotters station during the lunch service.