Intercepted Declaration of Independence on View at Bath Museum
An extraordinary edition of the Declaration of Independence, originally printed by Dunlap and seized by British troops in 1776, will be showcased at the American Museum and Gardens in Bath beginning June 16, 2026. This particular copy is the last of the 26 taken and is currently preserved at the National Archives. The display celebrates the America 250 initiative, marking the U.S. bicentennial. For the first time, this document will be exhibited in England during the anniversary. Alongside the exhibition, historian David Olusoga will deliver a lecture on June 1, followed by jazz events and quilt displays. Admission is £2.50.
Key facts
- 26 known surviving copies of the Dunlap printing of the Declaration of Independence exist.
- This copy was intercepted by British forces in 1776 and annotated by officials in the Colonial Secretary's office in London.
- The document goes on display at the American Museum and Gardens in Bath on 16 June 2026.
- It is part of the museum's America 250 programme marking 250 years since the founding of the United States.
- John Dunlap printed the Declaration on 4 July 1776; it was captured on 11 August 1776 by Vice Admiral Richard Howe and William Howe.
- The document was sent to George Germain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.
- The annotations on the reverse are bureaucratic and matter-of-fact.
- The loan was made possible by a Jonathan Ruffer curatorial grant from the Art Fund.
Entities
Artists
- David Olusoga
Institutions
- American Museum and Gardens
- National Archives
- Art Fund
- Museum of the American Revolution
Locations
- Bath
- England
- London
- United States
- Philadelphia
- New Jersey
- Virginia
- Mount Vernon
Sources
- Artlyst —