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The Typography of Independence

As part of the Penn Libraries' America 250 programming, join the Common Press for The Typography of Independence, a year-long program celebrating the papermaking and printing techniques that created the first edition of the Declaration of Independence. 

Through monthly letterpress printing sessions, typesetting workshops, a city-wide rag collection and papermaking project, and a series of public lectures, workshops, and tours, the program highlights the production processes behind this Philadelphia-made foundational document.

Original print of the declaration of independence
The Dunlap Broadside, from NYPL

Signature Events

Join us throughout the year for free, public hands-on workshops and live demonstrations.

Oct 17
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Field Trip: Printing History in Old City

In conjunction with Common Press’ Typography of Independence programming, join Penn Libraries as we visit sites in Old City Philadelphia that are connected to the original printing of the Declaration of Independence, including Independence Hall, The B. Free Franklin Post Office, the Franklin Court Sites on Market Street and the site of John Dunlap’s print shop on 2nd and Market St.

  • October 17, 2025
  • 3:30pm - 5:00pm
  • Various locations; see description for details
old city 1776
Nov 11
  • Lecture
Open to the Public

The Messiness of Independence

Dr. Emily Sneff, a leading expert on the history of the Declaration of Independence, will share some of the stories behind the first printings of the founding document of the United States.

  • November 11, 2025
  • 5:30pm - 7:00pm
  • Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, sixth floor
Original print of the declaration of independence
Jan 16
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Reinterpreting the Declaration: A Creative Typesetting Workshop

In this creative typesetting workshop, the Declaration text will be split amongst registered participants, and each participant will have the freedom to choose to include, edit, or redact the words in their segment.

  • January 16, 2026
  • 12:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
thomas jeffereson early edits
May 14 - 15
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

The 12-Hour Declaration of Independence: Community Typesetting

To honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration, Common Press will host a 12 hour, two day community typesetting event during which all are invited to hand-set metal type to help create a historically-accurate replica. The final forme of metal type will remain available for printing on our 19th-century hand press through August 2026.

  • May 14 - 15, 2026
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
May 20 - Aug 15
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Print the Declaration of Independence

Visit Common Press during the Summer 2026 to print a copy of the Declaration of Independence for yourself.

  • May 20 - August 15, 2026
  • Common Press
declaration

Monthly Open Studio Sessions: Broadside Printing

A broadside or broadsheet is a historical term for a one-sided letterpress print (like the Declaration of Independence), meant for public display. Each month, visit the Common Press for an Open Studio Session and print a broadside for yourself! The theme of the broadside changes each month, exploring the people and processes important to document production in the late 18th century.

The printing activity takes less than 10 minutes, so feel free to drop by anytime. These events are free and open to the public, but you will need either a PennCard or a photo ID to enter the building.

Oct 03
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Open Studio Session: Papermaking in the Revolutionary Era

Join us for a drop-in Open Studio at Common Press to print a broadside about rag collectors and papermaking in 1770s!

  • October 3, 2025
  • 12:00pm - 2:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
Jan 09
Open to the Public

Open Studio Session: Time in the Revolutionary Era

Join us for a drop-in Open Studio at Common Press to print a broadside about how the pace of time impacted life in the Revolutionary era!

  • January 9, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Common Press Space
A detailed drawing of a figure from a vintage calendar or chart, holding a scythe. A grandfather clock is to their left.
Mar 06
Open to the Public

Open Studio Session: Indigenous Space

Join us for a drop-in Open Studio at Common Press to print a broadside about the Lenape, the original users of the land around the Historic Rittenhouse Town papermill!

  • March 6, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
A portion of a vintage, hand-drawn map showing townships, creeks, and the names of land owners.
Apr 03
Open to the Public

Open Studio Session: Ink and Flax in the Revolutionary Era

Join us for a drop-in Open Studio at Common Press to print a broadside exploring a key ingredient used to produce ink, fabric, and paper during the Revolutionary era: flax!

  • April 3, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Common Press Space
Antique botanical illustration of a slender flax plant with delicate blue flowers, green leaves, and roots, framed by a blue border.

Making Paper for the Declaration

Throughout fall 2025, donate cotton and linen fabric that will be processed and made into sheets of paper. This community-wide cloth collection mimics the papermaking process in 1770s when rag collectors circulated the city to collect the base material for making paper. Find when and where we'll be collecting materials, along with guidelines for donations.

rag collection announcement

Project Updates

Read more

America 250 at Penn

The University of Pennsylvania, located in the heart of the city, was at the center of the dramatic events of 1776 and the Revolution that followed. 250 years later, partners across the university are exploring how history can help us better understand the present and create a sustainable and inclusive future.

America 250 at Penn logo over an image of signatures

Maps and More

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Staff Information

Resources for Staff Committees