Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Latest 2026 Conference News

This year APHA will collaborate with the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts and the Common Press at the University of Pennsylvania to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence at a conference entitled, “Revolution in Print.” Taking place at the Kislak Center, on October 2–3, 2026, the conference will feature invited speakers who will address the theme, drop-in visits and tours at Philadelphia area museums, libraries, and historic sites, and curated lightning talks on a variety of subjects that reflect the current research in printing history. Conference organizers have also invited submissions for the lightning talks from traditional and emerging communities of scholarship.

The 2026 conference theme, “Revolution in Print” will explore how Revolutionary-era printing and document production continues to shape our design standards, cultural sensibilities, and political life today. The full conference program is still taking shape, but the following curated events are currently scheduled:

An opening keynote on Friday, October 2, at the Kislak Center, “The Radical Printers of Revolutionary Philadelphia” by James Green, Librarian Emeritus, Library Company of Philadelphia.
Saturday afternoon sessions feature Invited speakers to date include Mindy Belloff, Michele Gabrielson, Sara Karpinski, John Pollack, and Angelica Williams.
An extended session of lightning talks featuring current research in printing history
Tours and demonstrations at Philadelphia area including, but not limited to: the American Philosophical Society, the Library Company of Philadelphia, Museum of the American Revolution, University of Pennsylvania Common Press – tour and printing demonstration, the Kislak Center – exhibit and show and tell from the collections, the Franklin Court Printing Office: https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/printingoffice.htm

Invited Speakers

James Green (keynote), Librarian Emeritus, Library Company of Philadelphia. James is a librarian and scholar (and former APHA President 1988–1990) whose research and teaching experience broadly covers the material culture of books and printing, publishing, and distribution from the colonial period through the 19th century.

Michele Gabrielson, The Revolutionary Classroom. The title of Michele’s talk will be, “In The Margins: Women Printers of the 18th Century.” Michele is an award-winning Massachusetts history teacher and historic interpreter of the 18th century. Michele specializes in interpreting the history of colonial women printers, 18th century chocolate production, and the revolutionary playwright and poet Mercy Otis Warren.

Mindy Belloff, M.A. Mindy Belloff will discuss the Unanimous Declaration of Independence as designed and printed by Mary Katharine Goddard in January of 1777, and her own historic recreation, and rewriting of the Declaration as inclusive. intimapress.com

Angelica Williams. Angelica’s presentation will highlight how enslaved labor was used to generate prints that circulated ideas of freedom and liberty in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Angelica Williams is a graduate student at the University of South Carolina whose research focuses on uncovering the lives and labor of enslaved printers in the 18th century.

Sara Karpinski. Sara Karpinski is a National Park Service Ranger at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. She is the coordinator for the Franklin Court Printing Office, which operates two reproduction 18th century printing presses as part of the park’s visitor offerings.