“Revolutions and Constitutions: Nation-Building in the Americas after 1776” Exhibit

What happens when undergraduate historians dive into the archives? You get “Revolutions and Constitutions: Nation-Building in the Americas after 1776.” This exhibition commemorates the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence by placing it within a broader hemispheric narrative. It explores how revolutionary ideals and new models of governance, shaped by Enlightenment thought and the U.S. Revolution, sparked independence movements and constitutional experimentation across Latin America. But it is also the result of a unique collaboration between UT history students (guided by Professors Lina del Castillo and Cristina Soriano) and Benson Curator Veronica Valarino. Together, they’ve unearthed rare documents that challenge simple narratives about independence.
Come see how student research has brought to light the complex legacies of liberty, citizenship, and persistent inequality that continue to shape our hemisphere today.

Featuring: Rare maps, manuscripts, and a companion digital exhibit by Benson Digital Scholarship Coordinator Albert Palacios. Digital Exhibit link: “Polarizing Uncertainty in the Atlantic World around 1776”

Visit us: Now through December 14, 2026 at the Benson Latin American Collection, Ann Hartness Reading Room, First Floor, Sid Richardson Hall, Unit 1, University of Texas at Austin.