One of just 26 known original copies of the Declaration of Independence will come to Norway Memorial Library for public viewing Oct. 9 and 10. There were 200 copies printed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, by Continental Congress’ official printer John Dunlap.

The Declaration, donated to the Maine Historical Society in 1893, is being exhibited in 16 public institutions around the state as part of America’s 250th celebrations.

In anticipation of the viewing, the library is holding two programs in the coming weeks, one focused on local history during the American Revolution era and the second a book discussion about the Declaration itself.

There is also an exhibit at the library on loan from the historical society’s collection of Revolution-period relics.

On Sept. 22, the Norway Historical Society is presenting an exploration of American Revolution veterans who settled western Maine’s frontier in the years following the war.

And on Oct. 1, University of Southern Maine associate professor of history, Ashley Towle, will moderate a book discussion of The Greatest Sentence ever Written, an 80-page essay by historian Walter Isaacson that explores the history and meaning behind the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.

There is also an exhibit at the library from the historical society’s collection of relics from the war period.

Norway Revolutionary War Period — Sept. 22, 6:30-8 p.m.
“Brad Cummings and Dennis Gray of the historical society will talk about Norway during the Revolution,” library Director Beth Kane said. “In 1776 Norway wasn’t a town yet. But the war is at its roots. They will talk about its connections to Maine’s settlement, like land grants given to veterans who served in the Revolution. 

“Those connections come up as place names (we know).” Cummings and Gray will show maps and images of local grave sites where Revolutionary War soldiers are buried.”

One of the weightier pieces in the exhibit at the library is a cannon ball that’s said to have been taken from the Battle of Bunker Hill, fought in Boston in June 1775, between British red coats and American militia men. 

The library will hold a guess the weight contest, with the closest-to-correct winning the book “Liberty is Sweet,” written by historian Woody Holton. “It will be a fun night,” Kane said.

Book discussion of “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” — Oct. 1, 6:30-8 p.m.
Published late last year as part of America’s 250th celebration, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” delves into the then-radical idea that all men (and women) were created equal.

Kane chose the book as a precursor to the Declaration of Independence’s scheduled exhibit in Norway. She was connected with Towle through an inquiry to the Maine Humanities Council.

“It’s a very interesting way for us in 2026 to look at the Declaration, all these years later,” Kane said. “And the book is pretty accessible as far as size and reading time, which makes it easier to welcome people to the conversation.”

Towle is an associate professor of history and women and gender studies, and associate dean in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, at USM. She teaches classes on American history, including the history of women, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the history of death and dying, and the history of sexuality.

“The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” can be purchased from any bookstore or website. But Kane has purchased 30 copies free to anyone who registers for Towle’s book discussion, as long as supplies last. Call the library at 207-743-5309 for registration information.

Exhibit: Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence — Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission to the Declaration of Independence exhibit is free. Although not necessary, Kane recommends reserving tickets through the Maine Historical Society.

“The main advantage is that you can choose your time to come,” she said. “Viewing will be done in 30-minute intervals. People may walk-in, but they could encounter waiting lines to get in.”

A viewing limited for public, private school and homeschooling students will be Oct. 8 . That evening there will be a limited-seating reception featuring speaker Liam Riordan, history professor and department chair at the University of Maine Orono.

The Dunlop Broadside tour began July 17 at Maine Maritime Museum in Bath and to date has touched down at eastern and northern counties. After a stop in Bangor this weekend the exhibit heads for the western region of the state.

Other viewing locations this fall are in Skowhegan, Sept. 25-26; Farmington, Oct. 2-3; Norway, Oct. 9-10; Lewiston, Oct. 16-17; Augusta, Oct. 22-23; and finally in Brunswick, Oct. 30-31.

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