Peoria Riverfront Museum Acquires Rare Printing of 1776 Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence “Exact” facsimile, based on the 1776 original. Second edition. Washington, DC: Printed by William J. Stone for Peter Force’s American Archives: A Documentary History of the United States of America. 1833. The document was secured for the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s permanent collection with philanthropic support from Doug and Diane Oberhelman.
PEORIA, Ill., June 24, 2026—The Peoria Riverfront Museum announces a historic milestone: the acquisition of an original William J. Stone 1833 printing of the 1776 Declaration of Independence for its permanent collection, thanks to the philanthropic support of Doug and Diane Oberhelman.
The rare Stone Declaration of Independence will be unveiled at the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s annual State of the Museum presentation, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. in the Giant Screen Theater.
This foundational piece of American history, which established the iconic layout, distinctive script, and signature arrangement recognized by millions today, was printed by the famous Washington, D.C., printer William Stone, who spent 3 years from 1820 to 1823 making a copper engraving. The museum’s version was printed using those engraved plates in 1833.
“The Peoria Riverfront Museum is so grateful to acquire the William Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence. The document, whose 250th birthday we observe this 4th of July, is arguably the most famous document in American history,” said John D. Morris, president and CEO of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. “No object could be more appropriate to announce for our nation’s semiquincentennial. We are so grateful for the support of Doug and Diane Oberhelman and the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Board of Directors for making this possible.”
The museum secured the 1833 Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence in honor of America’s 250th birthday during this year’s America 250 celebration, led by The Promise of Liberty, guest curated by Ken Burns, where it will be displayed through the end of this special year.
In the long term, the museum plans to use the Declaration of Independence in conjunction with programming on Abraham Lincoln, who cited it more than any other U.S. president. During Lincoln’s turning point Peoria Speech on October 16, 1854, he uses the principles of the Declaration to make an argument against slavery, arguing for the first time formally and vehemently against the morality of slavery and the ultimate guidepost of American liberty as outlined in the aspirational words of the Declaration.
For more information, visit the museum’s website at peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.
About Peoria Riverfront Museum
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is the only multidisciplinary institution of its kind in the nation, combining art, science, history, and achievement. The museum is dedicated to using its collections, exhibitions, giant screen theater, dome planetarium, and programming to tell the stories that build confidence, spark life-long learning, and unleash the full talent and genius of every individual. Learn more at riverfrontmuseum.org.
Contact Melody Konrad, Peoria Riverfront Museum assistant director of marketing and communications at MKonrad@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
