Since today’s Election Day, I figured today was a good day to stroll through our With Liberty And Justice For All exhibit in Henry Ford Museum.

As I walked past original copies of Thomas Payne’s “Common Sense” pamphlet and a timeline of momentous events in our country’s history, I was really excited to see so many other people – including groups of high schoolers on field trips and families with the day off from work and school – exploring and, hopefully, learning about all the different ways the United States of America has fought for freedom and this right to vote.

One of the most important artifacts in With Liberty And Justice For All is one of the original 200 copies of the Declaration of Independence, which Congress authorized in 1823 - only about 30 of these survive today.

Families were learning more about the original 13 colonies, and where the idea for our country was born.

And being a woman, of course I am intrigued by the “Votes for Women” section of the exhibit – particularly the map that shows, by state, when women were legally granted the right to vote. The struggle by these pioneering suffragists is a fascinating chapter in our country’s history; if you haven’t explored this section of the exhibit, be sure to take a look next time.

It may be hard to believe, but some states didn't ratify the 19th Amendment until 1984.

I hope you’ll have a chance to explore With Liberty And Justice For All the next time you’re in Henry Ford Museum – and I hope it will inspire you as much as it did me, whether it’s Election Day or not.

What other artifacts of With Liberty And Justice For All intrigue you? Any you’d like to learn more about?