Sweet Briar’s Declaration print is one of two rare Stone test proofs

Sweet Briar College says its long-held Declaration of Independence print is likely one of just two surviving paper proofs from William J. Stone’s 1823 engraving test run. The discovery sharpens the artifact’s historical value as the college loans it to the Virginia Museum of History & Culture during America’s 250th anniversary year.

Why it matters: - Sweet Briar College’s Declaration of Independence print is now believed to be one of only two surviving paper proofs from William J. Stone’s 1823 engraving work. - The finding turns a long-owned campus artifact into a rarer historical object with direct ties to the early preservation and reproduction of the Declaration. - The print is on public view during a major 250th anniversary moment for the United States and in Sweet Briar’s 125th anniversary year.

What happened: - Sweet Briar learned the print is likely one of two known test prints from the historic Stone engraving, not one of the 201 vellum copies once believed to exist. - The Virginia Museum of History & Culture debuted the print at an event for museum members and Sweet Briar friends on June 7. - Sweet Briar has extended the loan of the print to the museum through Aug. 2, 2026. - The print is on display in the Royall Gallery at the entrance to the museum’s exhibition, “We The People: The World in Our Commonwealth.”

The details: - Rosemary Frey Rogers, a member of Sweet Briar’s Class of 1934, donated the print after a 1984 invitation to her 50th reunion. - Rogers wrote to then-president Nenah Fry that she wanted to give the college a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence engraved by W. J. Stone by order of J. Q. Adams, Secretary of State, on July 4, 1823. - Rogers said the print had been found rolled up at the bottom of an old family trunk. - At the time of the donation, Rogers believed the print was one of 201 vellum copies and had it examined and authenticated by George Martin Cunha, director emeritus of the New England Document Conservation Center. - Rogers said she chose to give the print to Sweet Briar in appreciation for the college and in memory of her father, Clarence N. Frey, and her uncle, Walter J. Frey. - Richmond Conservators of Works on Paper completed conservation work on the print. - Sally Mott Freeman ’76 and her husband John funded the conservation work. - Missy McNatt ’76 reviewed the conservation report after hearing about the print during a class Zoom call. - McNatt, who worked at the National Archives until 2025, contacted colleagues there and helped confirm the new conclusion. - Researchers determined the Sweet Briar copy is likely one of six paper proofs Stone used to test the engraving plate before making the vellum copies. - Only one other surviving paper proof is known, and it is held by the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia. - The 1823 printing shows the inscription at the top left, “Engraved by W. J. Stone for the Dept. of State by order,” and at the top right, “of J. Q. Adams Secy of State July 4 1823.” - Later Stone copies moved the imprint to the bottom left as “W.J. STONE SC. WASHN.” after the original top line was burnished away. - Sweet Briar’s copy still carries the 1823 top inscription and does not have the later bottom-left imprint. - On June 7, the museum event also marked the date in 1776 when Richard Henry Lee introduced a formal resolution for American independence before the Second Continental Congress. - That resolution led to the Committee of Five drafting the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted on July 4, 1776. - President Mary Pope M. Hutson ’83 said the discovery reflects the college’s alumnae connections and the academic opportunities those connections make possible. - Hutson also said Sweet Briar’s stewardship reflects a commitment to Virginia history and the nation’s history. - Sweet Briar’s 125th anniversary year includes events, speakers and celebrations. - Recordings and event details are available at the college’s 125th anniversary page. - The blueprints and drawings by Sweet Briar architect Ralph Adams Cram are on display in Pannell Gallery through Oct. 24, 2026.

Between the lines: - The artifact’s new identification adds scholarly weight to Sweet Briar’s collection and strengthens the college’s role as a custodian of rare national history. - The discovery also shows how alumni connections, conservation work and outside archival expertise can change the understanding of a single object. - The print’s public display during the country’s 250th anniversary gives Sweet Briar a timely way to connect campus history with national commemoration.

What’s next: - The print will return to Sweet Briar after Aug. 2, 2026. - Sweet Briar plans to display the print at fall events for local community members in Amherst and surrounding counties. - Students and faculty will use the print in classes and research. - The college expects the artifact to support programming around America’s 250th anniversary and civic engagement.

The bottom line: - Sweet Briar’s Declaration print is not just rare. It now appears to be one of the earliest surviving test proofs tied to the Stone engraving of the nation’s founding document.