1776 museum comes to Manti as part of Spirit of Freedom Pageant

MANTI—Sanpete County is blessed with a dedicated collector and historian who will be sharing his extensive collection as part of the activities around The Spirit of Freedom Pageant, July 22–25. The Sanpete Event Center will host the display from 6–10 p.m. each night. Admittance is free and open to the public.

Ryan T. Roos of Manti, a longtime rare book and document expert, is bringing his 1776 Museum collection to the event. The mobile exhibit was developed to address the need for hands-on educational access to historic materials in rural communities, opportunities traditionally limited to larger population centers.

“I began forming this collection 15 years ago,” Roos said. “My mother was a lifelong children’s librarian and at a young age instilled within me the value of stories. The documents I collect are springboards for the remarkable stories behind them.”

Inspired also by William Tyndale, who sought to place the Bible in the hands of the common plowman, Roos aims to democratize history. Tyndale’s work not only provided direct access but empowered people to form their own opinions about meaning. Roos said much of what is taught about the nation’s founders can feel incomplete, leading him to focus on primary sources that reveal fresh insights into the authors and periods.

“The more I gathered these stories, the more I discovered that much of what I had learned in school about the nation’s founders was incomplete,” Roos said.

Roos said he seeks to remedy the trend of historic items being acquired by those of extreme wealth and displayed mainly in dense, politically influential areas.

“I am seeking to remedy this by putting the documents back into the hands of the people who live, breathe, and die, within some of the most patriotic communities in America.”

His approach emphasizes accessibility and personal connection. Presentations are always free because, he said, “money should never prohibit access to education.”

While Roos provides historical context, he deliberately avoids assigning ultimate meaning.

“The miracle of being face-to-face with documents from our past is that the observer becomes a part of the interpretive process. Rather than being told these documents are important, one begins to feel of their importance and hopefully form deep-rooted opinions,” Roos said.

The collection features primary source materials from the nation’s founding through the Civil War, including manuscripts, newspapers, letters, books, official documents, images, engravings and artifacts. Highlights include original signed documents from all of America’s earliest presidents, printed materials by Benjamin Franklin, cannon balls, swords, maps and Revolutionary War trial manuscripts. The items offer direct, tangible connections to the Founding Fathers and events leading to the Declaration of Independence.

In keeping with the pageant’s celebration of religious liberty, Roos will showcase his holdings of historic Bibles and religious manuscripts, including original Martin Luther editions and historic King James Bibles. The collection provides links to the scriptural and philosophical foundations of freedom. Visitors to the exhibit will have an opportunity to view the artifacts that helped shape America’s story.

The 1776 Museum’s primary focus is school-aged youth as a tribute to Roos’s mother, though community events like this one welcome everyone. His goal remains making the free presentation available in schools and communities regardless of geography or population size.

“My goal is to put our past back into the hands of the people,” Roos said.

Roos said the traveling museum complements the Spirit of Freedom Pageant by expanding the event’s historical focus. An independent Western historian with a background in philosophy and religious studies from Utah State University, he has contributed to scholarly discussions on topics including Mormon history, document authentication and early American and Western history. He is also active in local preservation efforts, including the restoration of Ephraim’s historic jail.