A new collection at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. offers insight into the role of Scripture in the nation’s founding. The artifacts, marking America’s 250th anniversary, include the first Bible printed in English in America, family Bibles belonging to several founding fathers, and an original Thomas Jefferson letter on religious freedom.
The Bible’s Impact on Early America
Anthony Schmidt, the museum’s director of collections and curatorial, says the collection uses primary sources to examine the Bible’s role in early American history. The documents show how biblical language appeared throughout the founding era, influencing conversations about liberty, education, and public life.
The collection includes objects intentionally selected to tell the fullest story possible about the Bible’s influence on America’s founding generation. Visitors can view Revolutionary-era printed materials, documents tracing early Jewish civic life in America, and portraits of George Washington and other colonial-era figures.
Schmidt notes that while the founding fathers often disagreed on matters of religion, the historical record shows many were still influenced by the Bible’s language and ideas. The collection aims to encourage visitors to engage directly with original historical documents and see the impact of the Bible on the people who built America.
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