Exhibition opening

The expanded Declaration of Independence

Join us on September 24, 2026
A collage of portraits of founding fathers, the boston massacre, and stamp act graphics

Celebrating a Historic Year

IU Libraries Lilly Library invites you to an opening event on September 24, 2026, celebrating the expansion of our exhibition The Declaration of Independence: The Motives, The Moment, newly joined by The Signers in our South Gallery. 

We welcome IU Associate Professor of History Konstantin Dierks, who will give a lecture entitled “The Declaration in a Time of Crisis.” How do people meet the moment in times of political crisis? The Declaration of Independence tried to meet the crisis of 1776. It pinned blame on King George III. It inspired enough colonists to rebel against a mighty empire. It put enduring ideals into American history. The Declaration managed to do so surrounded by a crisis—and before a future—far beyond its grasp. How might we think, then, of the issues we face in 2026? 

Professor Dierks’ talk will be followed by a reception with exhibition curators and seasonal refreshments. During this time, attendees are encouraged to peruse the galleries at their own pace, and to visit our friends at the Eskenazi Museum of Art, who will stay open during this time for interpretive viewings of a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington.

Event details

Registration

Due to space limitations, we ask attendees to RSVP for this event. Lecture registrants need only register for the lecture, which includes the reception. If the lecture is full, or you cannot attend that portion of the event, feel free to only register for the reception.

Event Schedule

4:30pm: Konstantin Dierks in the Lilly Library Lecture Hall

5:30–6:30pm: Reception in the Slocum Room and Lilly Library galleries

5–7pm: George Washington portrait viewing at the Eskenazi Museum of Art

Register for the lecture (includes reception)
Register for the reception only

Accessibility

The Lilly Library has an ADA accessible entrance and elevators to help attendees navigate from the galleries to the lecture hall. Staff will be on hand to assist as needed. If you have special accessibility needs, you can communicate them via the registration forms linked above.

Parking

Parking is limited on the IU campus, and most parking around downtown Bloomington is metered.

Indiana Memorial Union’s pay lot is closest to the Lilly Library. Rates are by the hour, and the Lilly Library will validate your parking ticket so that you may receive a reduced rate. If you are staying at the Biddle Hotel, you also receive a parking discount in this lot.

East Parking Garage also offers pay parking by the hour.

You also may purchase a short-term parking pass from IU Parking Operations.

In addition to metered parking, the City of Bloomington has one parking garage nearby at Seventh and Walnut streets.

For additional information about visiting the Lilly Library, please see our Plan Your Visit page.

About the Speaker

Konstantin Dierks is an Associate Professor of History at Indiana University Bloomington specializing in early America and the Atlantic world. His work examines how communication, power, and global connections shaped the Revolutionary era and the founding of the United States. He teaches courses on 1776 and the Declaration of Independence that explore the Revolution as a complex moment of war, political change, and social upheaval.