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Democracy Dialogues- The Next 250 Years

Event Details

December 16th at 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Hansen Student Center, Illinois Wesleyan University, 300 E Beecher St, Bloomington, IL 61701

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Throughout 2026, the Museum, our partners, and members of the community have explored the Declaration of Independence, one of the founding documents of the United States. Local scholars have shared what phrases such as “All Men Are Created Equal” and “Consent of the Governed” meant when the Declaration was written, and how that language has evolved over our nation’s 250-year history. Participants have come together for civil dialogue about what those phrases mean to each of us and what we hope the next 250 years will look like.

But what comes next? On Wednesday, December 16, at 6 p.m., we invite you to a final panel presentation featuring our four experts: Dr. Matthijs Tieleman, Erik Rankin, Dr. Meghan Leonard, and Dr. Robert Bradley. Moderated by the Museum’s Executive Director, Dr. Julie Emig, the panelists will discuss how their work encourages civic engagement and how we can all stay engaged and inspire others to do the same. “Democracy is not a spectator sport,” said Candace Summers, the Museum’s Senior Director of Education. “If we do not actively engage with it, it will wither and die.”

The panel will be held in the Hansen Student Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University. This program is free and open to the public. Panelists will reflect on the founding principles discussed during each Dialogue session, explore how we can work together for the betterment of all who live in this nation, and answer your questions about our democracy and how to be civically engaged.

This series would not have been possible without the support and contributions of our partners: The Dirksen Congressional Center, Illinois State University, Not in our Town Bloomington-Normal, Prairie Pride Coalition, Illinois State University Center for Civic Engagement, YWCA McLean County, Bloomington-Normal YMCA, Heartland Community College, the Bloomington-Normal NAACP, League of Women Voters McLean County, and Illinois Wesleyan University.

Questions? Or for more information, please email education@mchistory.org or call the Museum at 309-827-0428.

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Throughout 2026, the Museum, our partners, and members of the community have explored the Declaration of Independence, one of the founding documents of the United States. Local scholars have shared what phrases such as “All Men Are Created Equal” and “Consent of the Governed” meant when the Declaration was written, and how that language has evolved over our nation’s 250-year history. Participants have come together for civil dialogue about what those phrases mean to each of us and what we hope the next 250 years will look like.

But what comes next? On Wednesday, December 16, at 6 p.m., we invite you to a final panel presentation featuring our four experts: Dr. Matthijs Tieleman, Erik Rankin, Dr. Meghan Leonard, and Dr. Robert Bradley. Moderated by the Museum’s Executive Director, Dr. Julie Emig, the panelists will discuss how their work encourages civic engagement and how we can all stay engaged and inspire others to do the same. “Democracy is not a spectator sport,” said Candace Summers, the Museum’s Senior Director of Education. “If we do not actively engage with it, it will wither and die.”

The panel will be held in the Hansen Student Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University. This program is free and open to the public. Panelists will reflect on the founding principles discussed during each Dialogue session, explore how we can work together for the betterment of all who live in this nation, and answer your questions about our democracy and how to be civically engaged.

This series would not have been possible without the support and contributions of our partners: The Dirksen Congressional Center, Illinois State University, Not in our Town Bloomington-Normal, Prairie Pride Coalition, Illinois State University Center for Civic Engagement, YWCA McLean County, Bloomington-Normal YMCA, Heartland Community College, the Bloomington-Normal NAACP, League of Women Voters McLean County, and Illinois Wesleyan University.

Questions? Or for more information, please email education@mchistory.org or call the Museum at 309-827-0428.