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 Bramlett. 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.
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 Faculty Panel
Monday, Sept. 14 • 12:15-1:30 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
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 are kicking off Constitution Week on the Kennesaw campus by hosting our annual SGIA faculty panel, "Recovering Political Goodwill: The Constitution and Strengthening Positive Political Norms."
Panelists from the School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA) will examine
how constitutional principles and design can help restore goodwill amidst current
political polarization by reinforcing positive norms such as civility, mutual respect,
deliberation, and compromise. The panel will utilize concepts from political science,
conflict management, and related subfields to find ways to revitalize democratic discourse
even as society addresses the needs of its individual members.
This year's panelists include Dr. Maureen Wilson, Dr. Carter Harmon, Dr. Hayden Proborowski,
and Dr. Carl Snook.
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.
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 and the Department of History and Philosophy are partnering with Dining Services to showcase colonial recipes and cookbooks.
Join a lively conversation with Dr. Tom Okie talking about colonial foodways, Dr.
Catherine Lewis talking about colonial women in the kitchen, and Dr. Kate Matheny
showcasing the Williams' rare colonial cookbook collection. The Commons culinary team
will talk about how they brought one of these historic recipes to life for the KSU
community to sample.
After the program, we encourage everyone to visit The Commons to purchase a full serving of the special revolutionary recipe at the Globe Trotters station during their lunch service.
