THE PEN IS MIGHTIER: WRITING A REVOLUTION

Communicating in the Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness

An Exhibit Communicating in the Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness

The Declaration of Independence summarized the colonists’ motivations to seek independence from Great Britain and is seen as the first formal statement of a nation’s intention to choose their own form of government. This exhibit not only highlights the influencers and communication techniques used for this historical period including song, music, maps, and the written word, but makes connections to Utah’s contributions and the communication and technology used today.

At the Utah State Capitol Through December 2026

Open daily: Monday - Thursday 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Friday - Sunday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The Pen is Mightier: Writing a Revolution is now on display on the 4th floor of the Utah State Capitol through December 2026. The exhibit explores how Revolutionary-era leaders harnessed tools such as printing presses and secret codes to inspire action and ignite lasting change.

The exhibition features a range of archival objects, including an original copy of “Common Sense” on loan from the University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library's Fighting Words Exhibition. Published by Thomas Paine in January 1776, the pamphlet helped rally colonists and is believed to have influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

The exhibition also explores the communicators—those who generated ideas, shared ideals, influenced decision-makers, united the government, directed the soldiers, undermined the British, and led the people. Stories of not only the leaders and elite, but the under-represented voices such as enslaved people, women, and indigenous people are also considered.

Finally, the exhibit examines what was happening on Utah's landscape in 1776, along with Utahns' revolutionary contributions to world communications, which are crucial to our daily lives 250 years since the founding of the nation. Through the concept of communication, all visitors can feel connected to the commemoration of the semiquincentennial!

List of Confirmed Locations

Uintah County Heritage Museum, Uintah County | 12.30.2025 - 3.8.2026
Snow College Library, Sevier County | 2.17.2026 - 3.26.2026
Duchesne County Library, Duchesne County | 3.10.2026 - 5.3.2026
Grand County Library, Grand County | 2.5.2026 - 3.31.2026
Orem Public Library, Utah County | 2.24.2026 - 5.10.2026
Cedar City Library, Iron County | 4.8.2026 - 5.31.2026
Museum of San Rafael, Emery County | 5.6.2026 - 6.29.2026

Marysvale Historical Society Museum, Piute County | 5.21.2026 - 8.16.2026
Hyrum Museum, Cache County | 6.2.2026 - 7.30.2026
Boulder Arts Council, Garfield County | 7.2.2026 - 8.16.2026
Wasatch County Museum, Wasatch County | 8.4.2026 - 9.29.2026
Morgan Museum / DUP, Morgan County | 9.29.2026 - 11.19.2026
Grantsville Public Library, Tooele County | 8.20.2026 - 10.6.2026
Fairview Museum of History and Art, Sanpete County | 8.19.2026 - 10.8.2026

Monticello Library, San Juan County | 8.21.2026 - 10.29.2026
Juab County Hall, Juab County | 6.30.2026 - 8.18.2026
Canyon Community Center, Washington County | 10.26.2026 - 1.4.2027
The Helper Museum, Carbon County | 3.31.2026 - 5.23.2026
Weber State University, Stewart Library, Weber County | 11.16.2026 - 2.25.2027

Past exhibits: Beaver County, Box Elder County, Davis County, Daggett County, Kane County, Millard County, Rich County, Summit County, and Wayne County.

Traveling to Utah's 29 Counties

September 2025 - December 2026

In partnership with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums Traveling Exhibitions Program, some 20 panels will be displayed in participating county locations including museums, community galleries, arts and cultural centers, schools, and libraries.