The Cincinnati Museum Center is set to display a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, known as the Holt Broadside, this summer. The document is one of only five remaining copies and will be on display from July 3 to August 23.

The History of the Holt Broadside

The Holt Broadside was printed in 1776, after 12 of the 13 colonies had approved the language of the Declaration of Independence. The document was printed on a common press and was used to share information about the Declaration.

The Cincinnati Museum Center’s copy of the Holt Broadside was brought to the museum by Richard Fosdick, a man known as Cincinnati’s first meatpacker. The document was cataloged and stored away for decades until it was rediscovered in 2010.

Conservators are working to preserve and restore the document, which is made of cotton rag paper and lamp black ink. The process of preserving the document is complex and requires great care to ensure its longevity.

The display of the Holt Broadside is part of the museum’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The museum will also feature other national treasures and exhibits that tell the story of the nation’s history.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.