Assembly Room and Historic Exhibition Tours Available through October
The Moritz Library in D’Aniello Hall is hosting an exhibition that brings early American history to campus in a very real way. The building, located on the Benedictine College campus in Atchison, Kansas, was designed to look like Independence Hall in Philadelphia and includes historical reproductions of the Assembly Room where the Declaration of Independence was debated and signed and the Liberty Bell. This makes it a fitting place for “Celebrating the American Experiment,” a Remnant Trust exhibition of rare documents which pertain to the founding of the United States of America. These pieces, representing one of the strongest groups of original primary sources in the country, are on loan through October 2026.
The exhibit includes several important works, including a Dunlap third edition of the Declaration of Independence from 1777, a sixth edition of Common Sense from 1776, early printings of the U.S. Constitution, and selections from the Federalist Papers. A series of historical pop-up banners helps to explain the time period and the ideas that influenced the Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.
Tours of the Assembly Room and the “Celebrating the American Experiment” exhibition are officially open. Jane Welte, Benedictine College’s Museum & Civic Education Programs Director, leads guided tours and explains the background of the Assembly Room and each item in the display. She also helps visitors understand why these documents still matter today. The first to tour the brand-new exhibit and library was a group of elementary students from Regina Caeli Academy, teachers commented that the tour “was a wonderful experience and we are glad we could visit!”
Anyone who wishes to schedule a tour can do so by contacting Welte directly through email (jwelte@benedictine.edu).
The public is welcome to visit the exhibit, but full library services are reserved for students. Exhibition hours for the public are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
The Assembly Room and exhibition are open to anyone who wants to learn more about early American history or see rare documents up close. With the Independence Hall-inspired design and the chance to view original works that shaped the country, the Moritz Library offers a meaningful experience for students, families, and visitors. If you are looking for something worth your time, this exhibition is a great place to start.
Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is honored to have received a top 10 ranking by U.S. News & World Report, to be ranked in the nation’s 10 most-recommended colleges by The Wall Street Journal and named one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by the Newman Guide. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. Benedictine College is dedicated to Transforming Culture in America through its mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.
