View rare and iconic American documents that were instrumental to the founding of the United States.

Salem’s connections to the Declaration of Independence center around Ezekiel Russell, a local printer who played a key role in publishing and disseminating the Declaration in 1776.

This exhibition coincides with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution as well as the 400th anniversary of the European settlement of Salem. Works on view in the intimate James Duncan Phillips Trust Gallery include two of the earliest broadside editions of the Declaration of Independence alongside Revolutionary-era manuscripts, newspapers, pamphlets and broadsides that showcase the nation’s founding values of democracy: freedom, liberty and equality.

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Pressing Importance: Salem and The Declaration of Independence is organized by the Peabody Essex Museum. This exhibition is made possible by Carolyn and Peter S. Lynch and The Lynch Foundation and Karla and Jeff Kaneb. We thank Jennifer and Andrew Borggaard, James B. and Mary Lou Hawkes, The Creighton Family, Chip and Susan Robie, Karla and Jeff Kaneb, Timothy T. Hilton, and an anonymous donor as supporters of the Exhibition Innovation Fund. We also recognize the generosity of the East India Marine Associates of the Peabody Essex Museum.

This exhibition is part of Salem 400+ celebrations. Explore all of PEM’s Salem 400+ activities at pem.org/salem400. Included with Admission. Salem residents and people who work in Salem receive free general admission upon presentation of a business card or employee ID at the admissions desk.