Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
250th Anniversary
signing of the Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation's past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.
Upcoming
Events
Still Ringing for Justice: Education, Equity & Women's Voices (A Dare to Declare event)
Thursday, March 19, 2026 (12:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | Philips Autograph Library
In recognition of Women’s History Month, West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s Women’s Commission presents a screening of the Justice Bell documentary to explore the enduring role of women’s voices in advancing justice, equity, and democratic leadership. Through education, dialogue, and civic engagement, this event invites the campus community to reflect on history, amplify women’s leadership, and consider our shared responsibility in shaping a more just future. The Justice Bell toured Chester County in 1915 to support the women’s suffrage movement. The final stop on the tour was the Chester County Courthouse. There will be a 20-minute documentary followed by a discussion led by the woman behind the Justice Bell Project, Amanda Owner.
Frederick Douglass Institute/PASSHE Collaborative Conference
March 31, 2026 - April 1, 2026 | Sykes Ballroom, Sykes Student Union
The FDI Conference serves as both a scholarly platform and a professional development space, bringing together faculty, administrators, students, staff, and community partners who are committed to transformational change. The conference is guided by the mission of the FDI, which focuses on promoting multiculturalism, supporting historically underrepresented scholars, and expanding opportunities for teaching, research, and service aligned with Douglass’s principles of education, liberation, and civic engagement.
Museum Exhibition: Becoming America in West Chester
April 24, 2026-August 1, 2027 | Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology (Old Library), Atrium Gallery | Opening reception: Friday, April 24, 2026, 6:00 pm
Join us for the opening of the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology’s latest student-curated exhibition, Becoming America in West Chester—a highlight of WCU’s America 250 celebration. Housed inside a reconstruction of the historic Turk’s Head Tavern, the center of our town during Revolutionary times, this special exhibition tells the story of how West Chester became the vibrant borough we know today. With authentic artifacts spanning 5,000 years, we will learn about the Lenape people who were removed in 1733 through the Walking Purchase, the creation of the village around the Turk’s Head Tavern in 1769 along the road from Philadelphia to Lancaster, and its establishment into the Borough of West Chester in 1799—mirroring, in many ways, the development of modern America 250 years ago. The exhibition also showcases important moments in time from the 1800s to today. Period music and refreshments will be featured at the opening reception. For more information, contact museum@wcupa.edu.