Unfinished Revolutions: Living Stories of American Rights
- Duration:Temporary
- Location:Campbell Gallery
(date) 3/14/2026–9/20/2026
Unfinished Revolutions: Living Stories of American Rights explores the bold promises of liberty, equality, and justice the United States was founded on. But the path toward fulfilling those ideals has been anything but straightforward. Our exhibit theme of unfinished revolutions explores the ongoing struggle to define and expand the meaning of freedom in America. From the Revolutionary era to today, individuals and communities have challenged injustice and demanded change—through protest and litigation, war and grassroots organizing, formal politics and everyday resistance.
This exhibit is multivocal. The objects vary, and the people interpreting and reflecting on them are diverse in view, experience, expertise, and background. These ideas will weave through the text created by many different contributors, interpreting objects from Spurlock’s collections and across campus.
Image Credits
- Suffragette sash. The People's Collection, US History and Culture. 2017.06.0256.
- Print: Gender Scrambling 781: Gaga, Salander, WW, Storm, and Roosevelt. Courtesy of the artist Linda Stein.
- Khanga textile. Tanzania, 2008. Lynn and Michael Noel Collection.
- Print: Corona Environment 1112, 4/85. Courtesy of the artist Linda Stein.
- Hull House Songs: Suffrage Song, Chicago, 1915. Courtesy of the Music and Performing Arts Library, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- Illinois Congressional district map. 1991. Courtesy of the Map Library, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- The Gerry-Mander. 1812. Courtesy of the Map Library, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- Pitcher depicting George Washington. Early 19th c. The People's Collection, US History and Culture.
- Magazine illustration: Votes for Women. 1915. The People's Collection, US History and Culture.
- Chicago Whip masthead (detail). Chicago, 1919. Courtesy of the History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- AIDS memorial quilt panel. Courtesy of the Greater Community AIDS Project of East Central Illinois.