The Declaration of Independence is a symbol of American freedom, but one particular copy has a story that is uniquely Texan. Unlike the other 25 known copies, this one embarked on a centuries-long journey before finding its home in the Dallas Public Library.

This extraordinary tale was shared by three key figures: Melissa Dease Assistant Director of Dallas Public Library; Misty Maberry Manager of Dallas History and Archives; and Kristen Calvert former Programs and Partnerships Administrator in Dallas and current Director of Library and Outreach Services at Denver Public Library.

The Birth of a National Treasure

The story begins in the early hours of July 4, 1776 when the Declaration was printed by John Dunlap a 29-year-old Irish immigrant in Philadelphia. These original copies, known as Dunlap broadsides were printed by hand using tiny wooden pieces for each letter. The haste and excitement of the moment are evident in the varying punctuation and ink smudges found on these historic documents.

Within two days, around 200 copies were distributed across the new United States, with one even sent to England. The Dallas copy, however, vanished from historical records until its rediscovery in 1968.

A Century of Obscurity and Rediscovery

The Dallas copy’s journey took a dramatic turn in 1968 when it was found in the storage of Leary’s Book Store in Philadelphia. The bookstore, which had been operating for over a century, was closing its doors due to changing times and competition from suburban retailers.

During the liquidation of Leary’s stock at the Freeman auction house in 1969, the Declaration was unexpectedly discovered. It sold for $404,000, a record price for a printed or manuscript book or document at the time. Adjusted for today’s value, that amount would be approximately $3.6 million.

The winning bidders were two wealthy Texas executives, Joseph Driscoll and Ira Corn, Jr. who outbid Hans P. Kraus a New York rare-book dealer. Kraus humorously noted, “If you fight with a Texan, you have a fight on your hands.”

The Declaration’s Grand Tour and Final Home

Due to its discovery close to America’s bicentennial celebration in 1976, Driscoll and Corn sent the Declaration on a nationwide tour. This copy, known as the lost copy became the most-traveled version of the Declaration.

In 1982, the city of Dallas acquired the Declaration. Initially, it was displayed in Dallas City Hall but the city manager, George Schrader preferred it to stay there. However, Lillian Bradshaw a fiery library director, advocated for its move to the Dallas Public Library, where it could be more accessible to the public.

Schrader eventually agreed, and the Declaration found its permanent home in the Dallas Public Library. It now resides on the seventh floor in a sealed case with advanced temperature and humidity controls. The document’s presence exudes a sense of gravitas drawing visitors into its historical significance.

The Declaration occasionally leaves its library home for special events. For instance, during the touring production of Hamilton in Dallas, it was displayed at the theater, allowing attendees to view this piece of history.

A Symbol of American Heritage

The Dallas copy of the Declaration of Independence is the only one west of the Mississippi. Its presence in Texas serves as a tangible connection to the nation’s founding for many residents. As Dease noted, “Here’s something right here in Texas that you can see and experience.”

During the America250 celebrations, the Declaration will be displayed in the Hall of State at Fair Park through July 17. After the celebration, it will return to its library home, where it is free for the public to visit alongside other treasures like an original Shakespeare’s First Folio and 19th-century Navajo textiles.

The journey of this document tells us as much about the history of our nation as the text itself. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Declaration of Independence and its continued relevance in American life.