Maine Students Viewed Rare Declaration Copy
The Maine Historical Society brought a historic Dunlap Broadside to Skowhegan Area High School for local students.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Approximately 1,200 students at Skowhegan Area High School viewed a rare Dunlap Broadside as part of a statewide tour. This initiative marks the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Why it matters
The statewide tour aims to provide direct access to a significant piece of American history that is usually housed in Portland. This educational outreach connects students with the original 1776 document to commemorate the nation's heritage.
There are currently 26 known surviving copies of the Dunlap Broadside, a version of the Declaration of Independence printed July 4, 1776. To date, 12,000 people across the state have viewed the document during this tour.
The players
Maine Historical Society
This organization preserves the history of Maine and holds a significant collection of regional and national artifacts in Portland.
New Balance
This athletic footwear and apparel manufacturer is headquartered in Boston and provided the funding for the statewide historical tour.
Margaret Chase Smith Library
Located in Skowhegan, this library serves as a research facility and archival repository named for the former U.S. Senator.
The details
The Maine Historical Society transported the rare artifact from its typical storage site in Portland to Skowhegan with specialized logistical planning and insurance. New Balance provided the funding for the statewide tour, enabling the specific visit to the high school.
Timeline
July 4, 1776: Original printing of the Dunlap Broadside.
1905: Maine Historical Society acquired the document.
September 23, 2026: Document displayed at Skowhegan Area High School.
September 25-26, 2026: Display scheduled at Margaret Chase Smith Library.
October 2026: Tour visits Farmington, Norway, Lewiston, Augusta, and Brunswick.
Culture Shift
The statewide tour mirrors a broader trend of institutions bringing inaccessible artifacts directly to local communities to foster engagement with national heritage. This move aligns with preparations for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Residents in the scheduled tour cities will have the opportunity to view a primary historical document without traveling to a centralized museum. This outreach changes the standard approach to historical engagement by bringing resources into the classroom.
The takeaway
Direct exposure to primary source documents helps bridge the gap between academic theory and historical reality for students. Local schools and organizations can participate in similar efforts by coordinating with state historical societies for upcoming anniversary commemorations.
What happens next
The Dunlap Broadside is scheduled for display at the Margaret Chase Smith Library on September 25 and September 26, 2026. Following these dates, the artifact will visit Farmington, Norway, Lewiston, Augusta, and Brunswick throughout October 2026.
Further reading
For more information on regional academic initiatives, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
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