Moments that Made US

Two hundred and fifty years ago, delegates from the 13 self-proclaimed United States of America signed the Declaration of Independence and changed the world. The signers gambled their lives on the future of a new nation, uncertain of what would follow as the ink dried.
The newly free and independent states proclaimed their right to break from an unjust ruler and formed a government based on the consent of the governed, not a king. Their statement that all men are created equal introduced a new idea of freedom and argued that governments exist to protect natural rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The founders pledged to each other their lives, fortunes and sacred honor, beginning a national experiment that each generation of Americans has carried forward, writing our story one moment at a time. The ink is still drying.
"Moments That Made US" was organized by History Colorado. It explores these founding principles and shares multiple perspectives from some of the United States' most significant moments. They show how the nation has advanced the founders' ideals, and when we've fallen short, inviting us to reflect on what it means to be American. They show us that our story was never inevitable. We shaped it at every turn.
Display At Felix Vallé House State Historic Site
Felix Vallé House State Historic Site is proud to host this exhibition. "Moments That Made US" explores the ideals of the Declaration of Independence by examining moments from America's first 250 years. Historic site staff have customized the exhibit to include local stories that explore Missourians' dedication to these same ideals.
The exhibit will be on display at the historic site's Shaw House from July 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2026. The Shaw House is located at 200 Merchant St. in Ste. Genevieve and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public.