The University of Arizona’s Center for the Philosophy of Freedom, in partnership with the Museum of Democracy and the Arizona Board of Regents’ Presidential Project, is proud to announce the opening of a new exhibit, Pathway to the Presidency: Road to the White House, at the Campus Store in the Student Union Memorial Center.
As the United States of America approaches its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, Pathway to the Presidency offers visitors an in-depth look at the history and transformation of presidential campaigning in America—from the election of George Washington to the 2024 race. The exhibit draws from the Wright Family Collection, the nation’s largest private collection of political memorabilia, and showcases original campaign buttons, banners, posters, and promotional items spanning more than two centuries of American democracy.
Dr. Mary Rigdon, Freedom Center Director and Associate Professor of Political Economy and Moral Science
“This new exhibit brings our country’s history to life right here in the heart of the U of A campus,” said Dr. Mary Rigdon, director of the Freedom Center and associate professor of political economy and moral science at the University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “This is an invitation to every student, faculty, staff, and community member to see how they are a part of the American story and our future. By placing this experience at the center of campus life, we’re not only honoring our heritage, we’re sparking the kind of civic curiosity and engagement that defines a great university dedicated to remembering our past. Over the next year, as the U.S. prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, we invite the campus and broader community to seize this opportunity and explore the pathway to the presidency.”
A central highlight of the new exhibit is a replica of the Press Secretary’s podium which invites visitors to directly interact with the exhibit and act out an important function of the presidential office to communicate with the public.
“This exhibit invites us to reflect on the presidency not as a distant institution, but as a mirror of the public’s evolving values, hopes, and debates,” said Dr. Saura Masconale, associate director of the Freedom Center, assistant professor of political economy and moral science, and affiliated faculty in the James E. Rogers College of Law. “One of my favorite features is the presidential podium—an open invitation for young dreamers to physically step into the role of a national leader. It’s a reminder that the future of our democracy lies in the imagination and engagement of the next generation. This exhibit offers our community a front row seat to the history and present day evolution of democratic leadership and how we as citizens have refined it over 250 years.”
Dr. Saura Masconale, Freedom Center Associate Director, Assistant Professor of Political Economy and Moral Science, James E. Rogers College of Law Affiliated Faculty
The exhibit includes a new AI-powered interactive kiosk in partnership with Digital DNA Labs, a cutting-edge, AI software development company. Visitors can now engage with intelligent AI recreations of influential historical figures such as George Washington, allowing them to explore the intricacies of democracy in an immersive and interactive way. These multilingual, AI-powered agents represent a significant leap forward in how educational institutions can bring history to life for their audiences.
Austin C. Wright, Chairman of the Museum of Democracy
“This exhibit is extremely timely ahead of our nation’s 250th birthday next July, and aligns perfectly with our mission to bring history to life for the next generation,” says Austin C. Wright, chairman of the Museum of Democracy. “Today, that means exploring new technologies, and this partnership with Digital DNA Labs has allowed us to use George Washington himself as part of the Museum of Democracy experience to give context around some of the most special pieces in the collection related to him, like the George Washington inaugural flag or buttons worn during his inauguration.”
The AI responds with historically grounded answers, creating a personalized and immersive educational experience based on what interests the visitor.
The new installation replaces the widely acclaimed inaugural exhibit on the Arizona campus, You Say You Want a Revolution: Politics and Art in the 1960s, which ran from October 2024 through July 2025. That exhibit launched with an extraordinary day of programming featuring national thought leaders Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Robert George and was visited by thousands of students, educators, and community members throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. Events held in the space ranged from podcast recordings and political debates to the “Create Your Own Campaign” contest for local high school students. In fact, throughout the academic year, every Arizona campus tour group began its walk around campus first at the Museum of Democracy—providing each potential new student and family with the opportunity to browse the exhibit upon their arrival.
Special events tied to the exhibit will run throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, including education and outreach programs, invited speakers, and student engagement opportunities and contests that connect the history of the presidency with our modern experience. Guided tours for school groups and homeschool organizations will also continue—and all are invited to take the opportunity to explore and enjoy this new exhibit and the knowledge it brings.
Pathway to the Presidency is free and open to the public, located on the lower level of the University of Arizona Campus Store. The exhibit is made possible by the Museum of Democracy, the Arizona Board of Regents, and the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom. Educators and families interested in tours and specialized education programing may contact Mari Clark at mariahclark@arizona.edu to discuss opportunities.
The exhibit is now open and available to the public. We invite you to walk the pathway to the presidency with us on the University of Arizona campus this 250th year of the United States of America!
For More Information:
Amee Hennig, Marketing & Communications Manager
Center for the Philosophy of Freedom
Email: Amee@arizona.edu | Phone: (520) 626-4887
About the University of Arizona Center for the Philosophy of Freedom
The Freedom Center was founded in 2008 and is today a University Center in the Office of the Provost. It provides research, teaching, and programming that is grounded in individual freedom and honors people’s right to constructively disagree.
Our faculty draws from philosophy, politics, economics, law, and ethics to enhance our understanding of the elements that shape individual and societal prosperity. Center scholars also include post-doctoral fellows, Ph.D. students in philosophy, and visiting and research fellows we host from universities worldwide.
The Center’s impact comes through research, publications, graduate education, academic programs, and major community events. In all we do, we are committed to integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives, training critical thinkers, and fostering constructive public debate.
For more information: https://freedomcenter.arizona.edu
Follow us: X | Instagram | LinkedIn
About the Museum of Democracy
The Wright Family collection is the foundation for the Museum of Democracy. One of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive collections of historical and political campaign memorabilia, it consists of over a million-plus objects, amassed over four decades. Unsurpassed in quality and quantity, it covers all the major presidential campaigns―including every president from Washington to Biden. The collection also features material from major social causes and movements pertaining to freedom and democracy, reflecting the history of politics and political reform in America as well as central civil rights issues such as women’s rights and social justice.
Visit museumofdemocracy.org for more information.
