Two undergraduate students at John Carroll University, Luci Laverick ’29 and Martin Edell ’29, are collaborating with Professor of History, Dr. Rodney Hessinger, this semester to curate an original exhibit commemorating the 250th anniversary of the writing of the Declaration of Independence.
The exhibit, titled “Reflections on a Living Document: The Declaration of Independence in the Past and Present,” examines key passages from the document and explores foundational ideas such as free trade, separation of powers, and other principles that have shaped the American political tradition. It compares the perspectives of 6 famous historical figures, side by side with those of 6 current John Carroll students and faculty, placing them in conversation across time. Drawing on their research, Laverick and Edell present these themes through a multimedia display designed to engage both the campus and the greater Cleveland community.
The exhibit will be on display at John Carroll’s campus in the D.J. Lombardo Student Center, Murphy Commons, from May 4 through May 18, with an opening reception on Tuesday, May 5, at 4 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend.
“It’s been a great learning experience,” said Laverick. “I’ve been able to explore the ideas our country is built on and how people have and continue to react to it.”
This research is supported by the Colleran-Weaver Endowment and is part of “US@250: Pivotal Plotlines in the American Story,” a semester-long initiative exploring significant themes and turning points in American history.
By revisiting the ideas embedded in the Declaration of Independence, the exhibit invites visitors to consider their continued relevance 250 years later and highlights the role of undergraduate research in bringing history to life.
“Now seems like a propitious moment for revisiting the Declaration of Independence,” said Dr. Hessinger. “Of course, anniversaries are a traditional moment for reflection. But it's more than that: many current debates and controversies resonate deeply with the debates of the founding era. Viewers might be surprised to find that the Founders engaged on issues such as immigration restriction and tariffs, just as our political leaders are doing today. We might learn important lessons by revisiting their thinking on these topics.”
