Made in America: Selected Imprints from 1776-1826 | Exhibition

Come explore the exhibition at Hill Memorial Library!

Long before the internet, the printed "web" virtually connected Americans living across a broad and varied landscape. The printed word touched all aspects of the lives of early Americans, both literate and illiterate. Publications took the form of religious tracts, political pamphlets, newspapers, banknotes, bills of lading, and broadsides announcing ship arrivals, theater productions, and capture notices for enslaved people. In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, LSU Libraries Special Collections presents the exhibition, "Made in America: Selected Imprints from 1776-1826," on display in Hill Memorial Library beginning on September 8, 2026, running through the fall semester.

The story of print culture in America parallels the story of the nation itself. Printed works united a far-flung citizenry, forging a national identity. Ironically, the rapid spread of the printed word also amplified sectional differences, most notably regarding views on slavery. Holdings in the Rare Book Collection include important works from this period, reflecting domestic literature and political theory that were the cornerstones of early nation-building efforts, as well as the economic, technological, and transportation-related developments that influenced the expansion of printing.

Among the many items on display, the visitor will find works printed by famed printer/publishers Mathew Carey and Isaiah Thomas, early American novels Arthur Mervyn (Charles Brockden Brown, 1799) and Charlotte Temple (Susanna Rowson, 1794), and Louisiana-focused books by surveyor Andrew Ellicott and Henry Brackenridge. Works represent a variety of topics such as literature, politics, geography, religion, economics, natural history, travel, ethnography, and language.

The exhibition is free and open to the public. Visit lib.lsu.edu/special for hours and directions.