Opening Reception | Print Revolution: Pamphlets, Persuasion, and the Path to Independence

In the decades leading up to the American Revolution, ideas of liberty, faith, and self-governance spread not just on battlefields but through the power of the written word. Print Revolution explores how pamphlets, broadsides, and sermons became the lifeblood of political and spiritual debate in colonial America. Works like Thomas Paine’s Common Sense ignited calls for independence, while New England ministers used the pulpit and the press to frame rebellion as both a civic duty and a divine mission. Together, these fragile publications held in Pequot Library’s Special Collections reveal a nation-in-the-making—one forged through argument, conviction, and the transformative reach of print.

Join us on Jan. 24 for the opening of this exhibition. Meet the Author: Michael Hattem at 2:00 p.m. will kick off the opening and will be followed at 3:00 p.m. by a reception and a chance to explore the exhibition, which remains on view through May 2.

Pequot Library is a proud affiliate of America 250 | Connecticut Commission, the statewide initiative commemorating the Semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—on July 4, 2026. In the lead-up to this historic milestone, we’ve planned a series of programs that highlight diverse American voices and perspectives, including the programs listed below and Print Revolution.