Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 6:30 PM
Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we’re taking a closer look at the ideas that helped shape the nation—and the leaders who carried those ideas forward.
Join Joshua Claybourn for “Lincoln’s Declaration: 1776 Ideal That Transformed a Nation—and Its Leader,” an engaging exploration of the profound influence the Declaration of Independence had on Abraham Lincoln’s leadership, political thought, and vision for the United States.
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most recognizable documents in American history, but its story did not end in 1776. Nearly a century later, its language and ideals remained deeply influential as the nation confronted questions about freedom, equality, citizenship, and the meaning of the American promise. For Lincoln, the Declaration became an important foundation for understanding what the United States could—and should—be.
Claybourn will explore how Lincoln looked back to the ideals of 1776 as he navigated one of the most consequential periods in American history. His leadership during the Civil War was shaped in part by his belief that the principles expressed in the Declaration could serve as a guiding vision for a nation still working to live up to its founding ideals.
This special presentation complements the Museum’s Pieces of the Past: America at 250 Years exhibition, which explores the people, events, objects, artwork, and stories that have helped shape the American experience.
As we mark 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, this program invites us to consider an important question: How have the ideas expressed in 1776 continued to shape America?
The Declaration represents more than a moment in time. Its words have been interpreted, debated, celebrated, challenged, and carried forward by generations of Americans. Lincoln’s relationship with the document offers one fascinating example of how the ideals of the founding era continued to influence the nation long after independence was declared.
Through this presentation, we’ll look at the connection between America’s founding ideals and the ongoing story of the nation—a story that continues to evolve 250 years later.
Throughout 2026, the Evansville Museum is celebrating America at 250 through exhibitions, programs, lectures, tours, and special events that invite our community to explore the many perspectives that make up the American story.
Lincoln’s Declaration offers another opportunity to step into that history and consider how the ideas of the past continue to influence the United States today.
Join us for an evening of history, conversation, and reflection as we explore Lincoln, the Declaration of Independence, and the enduring ideals that have shaped the nation.
📅 Wednesday, September 23, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science
Come explore the story behind the words—and discover how the ideals of 1776 helped shape the nation Lincoln envisioned.
RSVP by clicking the button below.
