New Exhibit at Museum of the Bible Highlights Historical Influence of the Bible

A fascinating new exhibit featuring original letters, family Bibles, and artifacts from the Founding Era is shedding light on the Bible’s impact on the founding of the United States. This collection, displayed at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., is part of the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary and delves into how the Bible shaped discussions and ideas during the nation’s formative years.

Among the items on display are the first Bible ever printed in English in America and home Bibles belonging to several Founding Fathers, along with Thomas Jefferson’s personal letter on religious freedom. Combined, these artifacts illustrate the Bible’s language and its role in shaping dialogue about freedom, education, and public life in the early days of the country.

According to Anthony Schmidt, the museum’s director of collections and curatorial affairs, the collection focuses on primary sources to explore the Bible’s significance in early American history. “The Bible is an essential part of this nation’s founding and history,” he said. It’s interesting; this isn’t so much a theological assertion but rather what the documents reveal about the Founding Fathers who often referred to the Bible in political discourse surrounding human dignity and freedom.

One section of the exhibit emphasizes how intertwined the Bible was with daily life at the time, showing not only the first printed English Bible but also personal ones from influential figures of that era. The chosen items aim to narrate the profound story of the Bible’s impact on the Founding generation.

Schmidt added, “These items demonstrate the influence of the Bible not only on religious life but also on early American art, education, and politics.” Another part of the exhibit dives into the relationship between faith and government, featuring Jefferson’s writings on religious liberty and early arguments against tyranny.

Visitors will also find Revolutionary-era prints that bolstered unity among the colonies, documents highlighting early Jewish civic life in America, portraits of significant leaders like George Washington, and hand-colored lithographs of Abraham Lincoln, along with busts of Washington and Benjamin Franklin.

Encouraging direct engagement with original historical documents is a key goal for Schmidt and his team. “We want visitors to be exposed to this country’s history and see through primary sources how the Bible truly influenced the people who shaped it,” he remarked. He noted that while the Founding Fathers had varied religious beliefs, many were clearly affected by biblical ideas and language. “It’s fascinating—despite their disagreements about religion, they were still informed by the Bible’s words and teachings,” he said, expressing a desire for people to interact with the evidence and draw their own conclusions.