Richmond museum to display original copy of Declaration of Independence tomorrow

Want to see one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence without leaving Richmond? Then you might want to head to the Virginia Historical Society tomorrow.

The museum on North Boulevard in Richmond will display one of only 26 known original printed copies of the declaration. It marks the first time the document will be displayed in Richmond.

"It's just an attempt for people to get a firsthand look at this incredible piece of American history," said Paul A. Levengood, president and chief executive of the historical society.

The document will be shown from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow and admission is free, to give as many people the opportunity to view the document as possible. The museum also opens an exhibit on the John Marshall High School Corps of Cadets tomorrow.

This is the lone copy of the document that travels the country. It has been on display at the Super Bowl, the 2002 Winter Olympics and other locations throughout the country. The traveling document is coming to Virginia in conjunction with the Pearson Foundation and the nonprofit voter-registration campaign Declare Yourself.

"Seeing the Declaration of Independence firsthand enables Virginians to engage in a unique and exciting way with a piece of history that is the foundation of our nation, helping to build their community and civic awareness," said Riley Wade, vice president of Pearson.

When the Continental Congress voted on independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, Philadelphia printer John Dunlap worked through the night to print 200 broadsides of the declaration, which was written by Thomas Jefferson. The broadsides were then presented to the Continental Congress on July 5.

Those broadsides were distributed to the 13 colonies, to King George III in England and to George Washington to read to the soldiers of the Continental Army.

Copies of the declaration can be found in permanent collections in such cities as Washington, Chicago and Philadelphia.

For one day only, though, a piece of history is coming to Richmond.

"I think it's a great opportunity for people in the Richmond area to come see something that they don't get to see on any kind of usual basis," Levengood said.

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .