The Living Declaration

CPL partners with Library of America and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to commemorate America's 250th Anniversary with The Living Declaration, a discussion and celebration of the Declaration of Independence. The event will celebrate the release of the new book, The Living Declaration: A Biography Of America's Founding Text , which weaves together sixty-eight essential writings by a broad spectrum of American and international figures - radicals and conservatives, revolutionary insurgents and civil rights leaders, presidents and philosophers - The Living Declaration traces the remarkable story of how America’s founding text came to be and how it has shaped democratic aspirations across the globe for more than two centuries.

Join us for pre-event music from the Old Town School of Folk Music musicians BUDS & SHOOTS, celebrating the American songbook, from 5:15 - 6pm. Stirring old-time fiddle tunes, anthems, and bits of Americana patriotic melodies will swell from the strings of banjo, fiddle and guitar delivered by three talented members of the acclaimed BUDS & SHOOTS band.

At 6pm, our keynote event features author Ted Widmer, in conversation with Christina Shutt, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. How did divergent readings of the Declaration contribute to the sectional crisis and the coming of the Civil War? How did Lincoln’s “new birth of freedom” change the way we understand the Declaration’s assertion of equality? Widmer and Schutt will discuss these questions and more.

In addition to the discussion, professional actors from The Goodman Theatre will perform staged readings of selections from the book.

Ted Widmer is a prize-winning historian who has written or edited a dozen books, including Lincoln on the Verge and the two-volume Library of America edition American Speeches . He writes frequently for The New Yorker, The Guardian, the Boston Globe , and The New York Times , where he helped create the Disunion feature about the Civil War.

Christina Shutt is the executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. She is a recognized leader in libraries and museums and is frequently sought after for her expertise in museum management and accreditation. Since her appointment in 2021 she has launched community outreach efforts to make the institution more welcoming and inclusive, and curated national award-winning exhibitions showcasing the diverse history of Illinois. Additionally, her innovative and collaborative leadership resulted in the ALPLM being awarded first-time national museum accreditation, a distinction only 3% of museums hold in the United States.

Support for this program was provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities, Les Levi, and David Bruce Smith/Grateful American Foundation.

How to Attend: Doors to the Winter Garden open at 5:00 p.m., and seating is first come, first served (400 capacity). Books are available for purchase, and