OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society has released a “Moments that Made US” exhibition for communities throughout Oklahoma to use to participate meaningfully in the nation’s 250th anniversary this year.
As the nation looks ahead to July 4, 2026, “Moments That Made US” is a free, customizable print-on-demand version designed for communities across the country. The exhibition explores the ideals at the heart of the Declaration of Independence through pivotal moments in U.S. history. It offers museums, libraries, schools, cultural centers and community organizations a meaningful way to spark conversation, inspiration and connection. Ready-to-use exhibition panels can be downloaded and adapted to reflect local spaces and stories, with printing and mounting as the only required costs.
Developed through a multi-state collaboration that adapted the acclaimed “Moments That Made US” exhibition created by History Colorado and currently on view at the History Colorado Center in Denver, the print-on-demand exhibition offers a flexible, locally customizable opportunity for cultural and educational organizations to serve their communities.
“Oklahoma’s history is inseparable from the larger American story, but it is best understood through local experiences,” said Nicole Harvey, director of the Oklahoma History Center Museum. “‘Moments That Made US’ gives communities across the state a practical way to participate in America250 without requiring significant resources. This print-on-demand model allows organizations of all sizes to connect national ideals to Oklahoma stories in ways that are locally meaningful, making it easier for communities to engage audiences in thoughtful conversations about the nation’s founding principles.”
The print-on-demand community exhibition features a modular set of professionally designed panels, each centered on five themes drawn directly from the Declaration of Independence: Created Equal; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; Free and Independent States; Consent of the Governed; and We Mutually Pledge. Organizations can display the entire exhibition or select a subset of panels. Optional templates allow communities to seamlessly incorporate local history, objects and voices alongside the national story.
Unlike traditional traveling exhibitions, this model eliminates shipping costs, long timelines and space constraints, making it easy and accessible for institutions of all sizes, including the smallest volunteer-run organizations. Included alongside the exhibition panels are an installation guide with customization suggestions tailored to local communities and marketing assets.
In Oklahoma, the exhibition is being shared statewide through a partnership between the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, helping ensure that libraries and community organizations across the state are aware of and able to participate in the America250 commemoration.
Final exhibition files, templates, and an implementation guide are available upon request from the Oklahoma Historical Society. Organizations interested in the print-on-demand community exhibition can learn how to participate and express their interest by visiting okhistory.org/museum-resources.
About the Oklahoma Historical Society
The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.
About the Oklahoma Department of Libraries
The Oklahoma Department of Libraries is the official State Library of Oklahoma. It serves the information and records management needs of state government, assists with public library development, coordinates library and information technology projects for the state, and serves the general public through its specialized collections.
About History Colorado
History Colorado developed the original “Moments That Made US” exhibition, from which the community print-on-demand version was adapted. The state historical society and a Smithsonian Affiliate, History Colorado is a 146-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation which provides technical assistance, educational opportunities, and other access to archaeology and historic preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF). Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information.