The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History



Two panels from the "Looking at Lincoln" traveling exhibition




Bay Elementary students Anna Junge and Emily Michaels examine "Freedom: A History of US"





ince 1997, the Gilder Lehrman Institute has developed traveling panel exhibitions for display at schools, libraries, and historic sites. Composed of interlocking panels with graphic reproductions of rare documents, images, and interpretive text, these exhibitions circulate nationwide, providing an introduction to critical topics in American history for students, teachers, and the public. There is a nominal fee for traveling exhibitions which includes any shipping costs:

Small exhibitions: One section composed of four to five interlocking panels (Looking at Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and The Progressive Era), $200

Large Exhibitions: 5 - 7 sections each composed of four interlocking panels (Freedom, Free at Last, and Alexander Hamilton), $500

GLI network schools should call the Institute directly. Please note that the Hamilton and Burr statues are not currently available for the Alexander Hamilton exhibition.

For more information about any of the exhibitions listed below, please contact Brook Wilensky-Lanford at wilensky-lanford@gilderlehrman.org, or call (646) 366-9666. You may also download an traveling exhibition application form by clicking on the following links:

Traveling Exhibition Application, PDF Format
Traveling Exhibition Application, Word Format

Sites hosting the NEH-sponsored Lincoln exhibition can
click here for the site support notebook (PDF Format).

"The Progressive Era: Creating Modern America, 1900-1917"
examines the period leading up to WWI when America was transformed into a modern industrialized society. Highlights of the exhibit include government legislation to improve labor conditions and reign in big business, the establishment of voting rights for women, as well as the efforts of reform groups to improve urban conditions and address the impact of immigration.

"Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America" is based upon a major exhibition of the same name which was on display at the New-York Historical Society. It examines Hamilton's central role during the Revolutionary War and Founding period (1774-1804) in creating the economic, constitutional, social, journalistic, political and foreign policy templates for modern America. (seven freestanding panels, 65-75 running feet )

"Frederick Douglass from Slavery to Freedom: the Journey to New York City"
traces Douglass’ life under slavery and his daring journey to freedom based upon selected excerpts from Douglass’ autobiography. It highlights the role of literacy in enabling Douglass to resist bondage and, once free, to champion civil rights for all Americans. (One section four-panel exhibit; 10 running feet)

"Looking at Lincoln: Political Cartoons from the Civil War Era" presents political cartoons illustrating how people responded to Abraham Lincoln and his policy of Emancipation. Looking at Lincoln offers insights into how racism was ingrained into 19th Century American life. These cartoons provide historical context for discussing issues we debate today. (One section four-panel exhibit; 10 running feet)

"Free at Last: A History of the Abolition of Slavery in America" traces the history of the movement to abolish slavery from the framing of the Constitution to its abolition during the Civil War. It illuminates shades of opinion within the ranks of the famous and ordinary, free and slave, men and women to come to see slavery as incompatible with the ideals upon which the nation was founded. (Two version available: one requires 40-50 running feet, the other requires 60-70 running feet)

"Freedom: A History of US" draws upon key documents and images to illustrate the changing understanding of freedom in our nation from the Founding Era through the Civil War. It presents some of the men and women who fought and in some cases died to expand freedom to all Americans. (Six sections; 60-70 running feet)

















Three panels from the "Looking at Lincoln" traveling exhibition


The Institute Public Programs and Exhibitions Exhibitions