Constitution Day 2026 Exhibits
In honor of Constitution Day on September 17, Providence College Archives & Special Collections staff curated two new exhibits which explore freedoms and rights which are at the core of the U.S. Constitution.
This exhibit will be on display now through December 2026. Located on the first floor of the Phillips Memorial Library.
Disloyalty or Dissent: The First Amendment through the Lens of Cold War Politics
The items on display illustrate the complexity of the social and political landscape in America during the Cold War. The Budenz collection reveals the divisions between those who believed the restrictive policies and laws protected traditional American values and those who felt the fears and controls were in stark contradiction with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
While this exhibit features only a small selection of pamphlets, books, and other publications from the Louis F. Budenz collection, you can explore more through the finding aid and by making a research appointment! The materials include an extensive collection of rare periodicals and alternative publications that span the global political spectrum, representing Budenz’s particular focus on communist countries as well as the far right and left of political discourse in the United States.
Put it to a Vote!: Voter Education and Local Elections
This exhibition explores efforts to educate and encourage voters during the 1960s and 1970s. In the United States, citizens need to register to vote prior to elections and groups like the Urban League and the NAACP often facilitate voter registration drives to strengthen voter turnout during elections. Through the materials on display, you can see evidence of past efforts by these organizations to not only drive voters to the polls but educate them on the election process and share candidate information.
It also highlights past Rhode Island midterm elections through campaign ephemera found in several of our political collections like the John O. Pastore, Congressman John E. Fogarty, Mayor Joseph A. Doorley, Jr., and the J. Lyons and Marian Gilmore Moore collections. Just like today, candidates fought hard to capture the attention of voters. Through items like buttons, bumper stickers, and various media, candidates and organizations spread awareness about political issues, often including a call to action or promised solution.
You can find all our collection finding aids on our website along with our digital collections.
For questions about the Providence College Archives and Special Collections, our exhibits, or to make an appointment, contact us at pcarchives@providence.edu or 401-865-2578.
