Freedom Matters

Freedom Matters, an extensive exhibit at George W. Bush Presidential Center, showcases a collection of historically significant versions of our Nation’s founding documents. The special exhibit encourages visitors to consider the pursuit of freedom throughout history, how the work of extraordinary and ordinary people has impacted freedom for millions of individuals, and what we all can do in our everyday lives to advocate for the blessings of liberty and a free society.

Freedom Matters features historical documents and artifacts that, during their time, were used to inform citizens in an era before mass media. These include rare versions of the Declaration of Independence; the Constitution of the United States; and the Emancipation Proclamation, as well as books by philosophers John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau and a 14th-century copy of the Magna Carta.

Visitors to Freedom Matters will be immersed in an interactive journey through the experience of freedom itself, including where freedom comes from, what it means, the characteristics of free societies, and the role of the individual in protecting and spreading freedom around the world. The exhibit builds on itself, demonstrating the evolution, understanding, and pursuit of freedom throughout history.

The exhibit leads visitors through the American Experiment, demonstrating how the United States has sought to live up to the ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence and other founding documents.

Case studies through moments in history—including the creation of the United States, the Civil War and Reconstruction, women’s suffrage, the Indian Citizenship Act, Japanese American incarceration during World War II, the Civil and Voting Rights Acts, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and marriage equality—are centered on primary sources, including the documents themselves and narratives and perspective of people of the time.

Admission to view Freedom Matters is included with the purchase of a ticket to visit the Bush Center’s permanent exhibit, which includes steel from the World Trade Center and a full-scale replica of the Oval Office. The opening of Freedom Matters coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Bush Presidential Museum hours:
Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm
Sunday noon–5pm

About George W. Bush Presidential Center
Located on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is a nonpartisan institution advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. The Bush Center comprises the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and the George W. Bush Institute, a solution-oriented policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies through policy solutions and public engagement.

The Bush Center also houses the George W. Bush Presidential Library, operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, which provides access to official documents and artifacts from the George W. Bush Administration.

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