The University of Pennsylvania is commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence with a series of reflections and events, drawing inspiration from its founder, Benjamin Franklin. President J. Larry Jameson highlighted Franklin's enduring principles as a guide for the University's commitment to rigorous inquiry, useful knowledge, respectful dialogue, and service to society.
"Franklin’s timeless principles and vision continue to define Penn’s commitment to rigorous inquiry, useful knowledge, respectful dialogue across differences, and service to society," Jameson said. "They guide our University’s efforts as we help shape a brighter future for our nation and the world." This message underscores Penn's unique opportunity to celebrate its history while reaffirming its responsibility to advance the nation’s founding ideals.
Further enriching the commemoration, the Arthur Ross Gallery is hosting "Picturing the period: Revolutionary America," an exhibition exploring how visual culture shaped perceptions of Philadelphia during the nation's founding. Curator Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw invited visitors to consider, "how does our distance from Old Philadelphia change how we imagine it?" Penn experts Daniel Richter, Jennifer Morton, and Claire Finkelstein also discussed the Declaration of Independence's historical context and evolving legacy.
In a hands-on tribute, Penn’s Common Press letterpress studio is recreating the Declaration of Independence using 1776 methods as part of the "Typography of Independence" project. Jessica Peterson noted, "The idea that this loose group of states would declare war on the most powerful empire in the world through a paper document was so exciting and revolutionary at the time." Additionally, video tours explore Benjamin Franklin's revolutionary Philadelphia and Penn's historical mark.