The Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government has partnered with the Remnant Trust to bring original, historical documents and artifacts to the University of Notre Dame. Fifteen documents and one artifact will be on display in the CCCG’s office on the fifth floor of Flanner Hall until October 12, 2026. The items are available by appointment to look at and even to handle.
The Remnant Trust is a Public Educational Foundation that provides first edition documents, manuscripts, annotations, and artifacts dating back to 2500 BC to the public with the goal of allowing each person to physically interact with the objects. Dr. Don Stelluto, Co-Director of the CCCG and the organizer of this exhibit, wants the students and broader community to enjoy every aspect this opportunity has to offer. History is not just ideas or written words, but rather is a “personal story that we uncover.” Physically interacting with these artifacts reminds individuals of the history of each object and of all those who may have interacted with it previously.
Below is a list of the manuscripts and artifacts currently on display in Flanner Hall:
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Cuneiform Akkadian Tablet, Akkadian Clay Tablet (ca. 2500 BCE)
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Aquinas, Thomas, Summa Theologiae Pars Secunda Secunda Pars (1475)
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Augustine of Hippo, Citie of God (Illuminated & Rubricated, 1494)
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Magna Carta, The Great Charter Called in Latyn Magna Carta, with Diuers Olde Statues Whose Titles Appere in the Next Leafe Newly Corrected. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum. (1542)
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Trenchard, John and Thomas Gordon, Cato's Letters: or, Essays on Liberty, Civil, and Religious, and Other Important Subjects (1733-1754)
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Locke, John, Two Treatises of Government (1st edition, 1764)
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Paine, Thomas, Common Sense (1st British edition, 1776)
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Paine, Thomas, Plain Truth (1st British edition, 1776)
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Constitution of the United States of America, The Columbian Magazine (1st edition, 1787)
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United States, The Gentleman's Magazine [Containing the First British Printing of the U.S. Constitution] (1787)
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Adams, John, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America (1st edition, 1787-1788)
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Hamilton, Alexander; James Madison; and John Jay, The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, as Agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787. Vol. II. (1st edition, 1788)
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Jefferson, Thomas, A Manual of Parliamentary Practice. For the Use of the Senate of the United States. (1st edition, 1801)
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Lincoln, Abraham, Lincoln-Douglas debates (1st edition, 1860)
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U.S. Government, The Trial of the Alleged Assassins and Conspirators at Washington City, D.C., May and June, 1865. (1st edition, 1865).
When Dr. Stelluto was curating the exhibit, he “wanted to cover the range of what our students were interested in…what would really engage students in class.” Being able to physically interact with readings and lessons discussed in class “adds another level” to the human experience and “how ideas transcend time.” These items and their ideas prove the durability of the written word, and today all of Notre Dame can come and see and touch the physical renderings of those ideas with their own hands.
Until October 12, these documents are available for viewing on Thursdays from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. ET, Fridays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., and by appointment. Contact Dr. Stelluto at Donald.Stelluto.1@nd.edu.
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