CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello will present Pen to Paper: The Civic Gospel of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, May 2, 2026, on Monticello’s West Lawn. The program commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and is presented in partnership with Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), the Commonwealth’s official commission charged with leading Virginia’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
As part of VA250’s statewide initiative, America. Made in Virginia., the event underscores Virginia’s foundational role in the creation of the United States and the enduring global influence of the Declaration of Independence—drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776—on democratic movements around the world.
Pen to Paper will bring together voices from across American public life for an immersive program of conversation, music, and poetry exploring the language, legacy, and continuing relevance of the Declaration. The event invites visitors and community members to engage with the document not only as a historic text, but as a living statement of the ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government that continue to shape civic life…