The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation
Extended through November 29, 2026
Offering free K–12 education programs for all New York City public, charter, and private schools
South Street Seaport Museum’s landmark exhibition, The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation, featuring rare foundational documents of national importance, has been extended through November 29, 2026. The Museum has waived the special exhibition fee, making The Promise of Liberty accessible to all visitors with General Admission, and free to K–12 schools, made possible through the generous support of Griffin Catalyst. Public tickets to view the exhibition are available at seaportmuseum.org/promise-of-
Highlights include a rare 1776 broadside of the Declaration of Independence; an early 1789 printing of the Bill of Rights, owned by one of the Representatives who helped shape it during the First Federal Congress; and more recent treasures such as an advance copy of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech from his 1963 “March on Washington” remarks.
To give more students the opportunity to experience these extraordinary documents, the Seaport Museum is offering its specially developed educational program, The Power of the Page, free to all New York City schools. Schools should email education@seany.org to schedule a visit or inquire about bringing the program to their students.
“This experience was absolutely superb. I took my students to their exhibit on Liberty; however, the whole staff and educators were amazing. They took the time to educate my students and as I always say, I learn something new every day.” said Michael Agovino, Educator at Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School. Agovino continued, “The way [the museum educator] spoke to our students and broke down complex ideas pertaining to the Museum was perfect. We were so fortunate to bring our students here. A MUST SEE in a beautiful part of Manhattan. So historical, so cool!”
“The Liberty exhibit was fantastic, and I am especially grateful for the primary source materials I was able to collect. We are about to begin our unit on the causes of the American Revolution, and these sources will be invaluable in helping my students examine broader, modern concepts of American liberty.” said Jennifer Meighan, Educator at Richmond Hill High School. Meighan continued, “Thank you again for creating such an engaging educational environment. I look forward to bringing another group of my students back to the museum soon!”
The Power of the Page Education Program
Available Monday–Friday | Free
Take learning beyond the classroom with The Power of the Page, an immersive group education program exploring the landmark exhibition The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation. Through extraordinarily rare and historically significant documents, students trace the evolution of the nation’s founding ideals while discovering the pivotal role New York played in shaping American history.
Led by a Museum educator, this engaging program brings major founding documents and pivotal moments to life, exploring how printed words helped communicate ideas, shape public discourse, and drive political and social change. Students consider why the way ideas are shared matters—and make connections between the power of the page in the past and the world today.
The experience continues in the Museum’s celebrated Maritime City exhibition, where students discover the history of printing in the Seaport district and see how New York became a center for the production and exchange of news and ideas.
Designed for grades 3–12, the 60-minute program can be tailored to students’ grade level. Advance reservations are required, and programs are in high demand.
The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation Exhibition
On View Wednesday–Sunday | Free with General Admission
Come experience this full-floor exhibition to journey through the nation’s founding ideas—tracing how they have evolved over time through rare defining documents and pivotal moments in history. As you explore the fascinating and unique exhibition, you will see how this promise—established in 1776—was never fully realized and remains an aspiration we continue to pursue today.
Throughout the gallery, you will encounter some of the nation’s most iconic 18th century documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Alongside these are exceptional handwritten pages from an undelivered inaugural address by George Washington, as well as remarkable 19th and 20th century treasures such as the Emancipation Proclamation and an advance copy of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “March on Washington” speech. In it, King describes the Declaration of Independence and Constitution as “a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.” Together, these extraordinary artifacts reveal how the pursuit of freedom has been redefined across generations.
Through rarely-seen documents and ephemera, you will discover pivotal moments that pushed the nation closer to equality—from the fight for religious freedom and the abolition of slavery to the movement for women’s suffrage. This exhibition offers the unique opportunity to experience the ongoing story of a nation shaped by words—where ideals have been tested, expanded, and reimagined over centuries.
Acknowledgements
The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation and accompanying programming is organized in cooperation with Sail4th 250 and made possible through the generous support of Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin and his civic engagement initiative Griffin Catalyst.
The exhibition is curated by Seth Kaller and the South Street Seaport Museum. The Promise of Liberty: Words that Shaped a Nation is a companion exhibition of The Promise of Liberty at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Special thanks to William B. Roka.
Additional support for this exhibition and Sail4th 250 is provided by Bulova and Jefferson’s Bourbon.
The South Street Seaport Museum’s work is supported, in part, by public funds from New York State Council on the Arts, with support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
About Griffin Catalyst
Griffin Catalyst is the civic engagement initiative of Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin, encompassing his philanthropic and community impact efforts. Tackling the world’s greatest challenges in innovative, action-oriented, and evidence-driven ways, Griffin Catalyst is dedicated to expanding opportunity and improving lives across six areas of focus: Education, Science & Medicine, Upward Mobility, Freedom & Democracy, Enterprise & Innovation, and Communities. griffincatalyst.org
About the South Street Seaport Museum
The South Street Seaport Museum, located in the heart of the historic seaport district in New York City, preserves and interprets the history of New York as a great port city. Founded in 1967, the Museum houses an extensive collection of works of art and artifacts, a maritime reference library, exhibition galleries and education spaces, working 19th century print shops, and an active fleet of historic vessels that all work to tell the story of “Where New York Begins.” seaportmuseum.org
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