Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence sitting at his desk in a Philadelphia boarding house at 7th and Market Streets, three blocks from the APS. The margin notes show revisions made after Congressional debate.

Jefferson was an elected APS Member and its president for 17 years, before, during, and after he was president of the United States. Another Member donated this document to the Society in 1825. The APS was so proud to have it in their collection that they displayed it for many years in a window for all to see. The light exposure nearly ruined the fragile manuscript. Fortunately modern conservation treatments have stopped the deterioration.