New Orinda Library Exhibit Explores the Many Stories Behind American Independence

ORINDA, CA — As the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a new exhibit at the Orinda Library invites visitors to explore the many individuals whose courage, service, and sacrifice helped secure American independence.

Created by members of the Acalanes Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the exhibit, "E Pluribus Unum: Many Stories, One Nation," examines the diverse contributions of people who supported the Patriot cause during the Revolutionary era.

A centerpiece of the exhibit is John Trumbull's famous painting of the Declaration of Independence. Visitors are challenged to consider an important question: Who is missing from this picture? While the painting depicts the nation's founders, the exhibit broadens the story to include Patriots of Color, Native American patriots, women patriots, and others whose contributions often receive less attention in traditional accounts of the Revolution.

Featured individuals include Crispus Attucks, James Armistead Lafayette, Deborah Sampson, Mercy Otis Warren, Nancy Hart, and other men and women whose service helped shape the nation's founding. Through historical images, biographies, and interpretive panels, the exhibit demonstrates that the struggle for independence was supported by people from many backgrounds united in a common cause.

The exhibit is part of the Acalanes Chapter's America 250 programming and reflects DAR's mission of historic preservation, education, and patriotism. By highlighting lesser-known stories alongside familiar figures from the Revolutionary era, the display encourages visitors to gain a broader understanding of America's founding.

The exhibit is free and open to the public at the Orinda Library. Later this summer, it will travel to the Lafayette and Moraga libraries, allowing additional community members to experience the display.

Location: Orinda Library
Admission: Free
Sponsor: Acalanes Chapter, NSDAR