The Bill of Rights and You

(Submitted by the National Archives Traveling Exhibits Service)

JMS student looking at the Bill of Rights display.

Angel, a JMS student, reading the Bill of Rights and You display in the library.

(Johnston, Iowa) Currently, Johnston Middle School is hosting a new pop-up exhibition from the National Archives, The Bill of Rights and You, commemorating the 225th anniversary of the ratification of this landmark document. The Bill of Rights and You spotlights one of the most remarkable periods in American history, explores the origins of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution (collectively known as the Bill of Rights), illustrates how each amendment protects U.S. citizens, and looks at how Americans exercise the rights outlined in the amendments. The Bill of Rights and You invites visitors to connect directly with the people, places, and events that mark this historic document’s evolution.  This exhibit runs through February 28, 2017.

The Bill of Rights and You co-curator Jennifer Johnson states:

“The Bill of Rights represents the Founder’s vision that it would be the people, through votes, that could change the Constitution with enough consensus. And when the people desired a Bill of Rights, our first ten amendments were added to our governing charter.”

The exhibit may be viewed in the Johnston Middle School library and was brought to Johnston by JMS history teacher Carson Hattel. Hattel said the goal of the exhibit is to spark curiosity in our students by compliment the current curriculum. The exhibit is open to Johnston Community School District students, Mondays through Fridays from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. To schedule a time to visit the exhibit, contact the library at 515-278-0476. For more information, contact Mr. Hattel at the same number.

The Bill of Rights and You is organized by the National Archives and Records Administration, and traveled by the National Archives Traveling Exhibits Service (NATES). This exhibition was developed in collaboration with the National Archives’ National Outreach Initiative to commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights. The exhibition is presented in part by AT&T, Seedlings Foundation, and the National Archives Foundation.

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