Learning Center > Gallery of Presidents

Gallery of Presidents

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
presents the
John P. McGovern, M.D.
Gallery of Presidents
featuring an original
1823 W.J. Stone Engraving
of the
Declaration of Independence

[Click here to take a Gallery of Presidents Quiz]

In July 1775, the Second Continental Congress declared our independence from Britain, and on August 2, 1776 a handwritten version of their Declaration of Independence was prepared for the signatures of the members of the Congress. American Patriot John Hancock, acting as President of the Second Continental Congress, conducted what was perhaps as his most famous act—he was the first to sign his name to the Declaration of Independence. Between August 2, 1776 and January 19, 1777, this "official" document was signed by 55 other members of the Congress, forever ensuring our rights "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The original document eventually was entrusted for safekeeping to the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C. In 1820 Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned his friend, William J. Stone, to create an official facsimile of the embossed Declaration of Independence, including signatures. It took three years to complete, and only 201 copies were made. These copies were made on parchment, while a later press run, assumed to have taken place in 1847, was printed on paper. In both instances Stone reproductions have become extremely scarce. Now, in 2002, only 30 of the 1823 copies are known to exist.

Two hundred twenty-six years later, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is proud to dedicate a new gallery featuring an 1823 facsimile on parchment of this most treasured document.

Through the generosity of Dr. John P. McGovern, the exhibit is part of our new Gallery of Presidents that includes this rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, courtesy of the Snyder family, and also features reproductions of the White House Historical Association’s portraits of the Presidents. Along with our Hall of Signatures, this new gallery enables the Library to dramatically tell the story of the Declaration of Independence and the 42 Presidents sworn to protect our freedoms as declared in this extraordinary document.

The Reagan Library is the only Presidential Library in the country and we believe the only public facility in the Western United States to exhibit an original 1823 Stone Declaration of Independence. We are extremely proud to be able to share this American treasure with the community.

The Stone Declaration of Independence is now on permanent display in the Gallery of Presidents. The Reagan Library is open seven days a week, from 10am to 5pm.

Learning Center > Gallery of Presidents Gallery of Presidents The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum presents the John P. McGovern, M.D. Gallery of Presidents featuring an original 1823 W.J. Stone Engraving of the Declaration of Independence [Click here to take a Gallery of Presidents Quiz] In July 1775, the Second Continental Congress declared our independence from Britain, and on August 2, 1776 a handwritten version of their Declaration of Independence was prepared for the signatures of the members of the Congress. American Patriot John Hancock, acting as President of the Second Continental Congress, conducted what was perhaps as his most famous act—he was the first to sign his name to the Declaration of Independence. Between August 2, 1776 and January 19, 1777, this "official" document was signed by 55 other members of the Congress, forever ensuring our rights "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The original document eventually was entrusted for safekeeping to the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C. In 1820 Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned his friend, William J. Stone, to create an official facsimile of the embossed Declaration of Independence, including signatures. It took three years to complete, and only 201 copies were made. These copies were made on parchment, while a later press run, assumed to have taken place in 1847, was printed on paper. In both instances Stone reproductions have become extremely scarce. Now, in 2002, only 30 of the 1823 copies are known to exist. Two hundred twenty-six years later, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is proud to dedicate a new gallery featuring an 1823 facsimile on parchment of this most treasured document. Through the generosity of Dr. John P. McGovern, the exhibit is part of our new Gallery of Presidents that includes this rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, courtesy of the Snyder family, and also features reproductions of the White House Historical Association’s portraits of the Presidents. Along with our Hall of Signatures, this new gallery enables the Library to dramatically tell the story of the Declaration of Independence and the 42 Presidents sworn to protect our freedoms as declared in this extraordinary document. The Reagan Library is the only Presidential Library in the country and we believe the only public facility in the Western United States to exhibit an original 1823 Stone Declaration of Independence. We are extremely proud to be able to share this American treasure with the community. The Stone Declaration of Independence is now on permanent display in the Gallery of Presidents. The Reagan Library is open seven days a week, from 10am to 5pm.