Home > Capitol Museum > Museum Events > Declaration of Independence Comes to Phoenix

Declaration of Independence Comes to Phoenix

February 20, 2010

TV producer Norman Lear and his wife Lyn purchased this copy of the Declaration of Independence at auction for $8.1 million. It had been discovered behind a framed painting purchased at a flea market for $4. This is the only copy that travels throughout the country. The Lears sponsor the travel to encourage young Americans to register and vote.

The Arizona Capitol Museum exhibited a rare, original copy of the Declaration of Independence on February 20, 2010 on behalf of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and Secretary of State Ken Bennett.

Secretary of State Ken Bennett paused with members of the Phoenix Police Department’s Explorer Post 2906, the colorguard for a VIP reception for government, education and business leaders on February 19.

1,877 visitors braved a rainy Saturday to see one of 26 surviving Dunlap broadsides, reproductions of the Declaration of Independence ordered to be printed by the Continental Congress. They were political pamphlets sent to the colonies to promote support for separation from England.

Lines stretched for up to two hours in the Museum.

top of page