ST. GEORGE — Fourth of July celebrants have a rare opportunity this weekend to see what history looks like.

United We Pledge and Balance of Nature teamed up to gather a collection of rare historical documents, vintage Hollywood memorabilia and other expensive pieces of history and put them on display in the basement of the St. George Tabernacle.

The pieces in the display were borrowed from the private collections of media personality Glenn Beck, document dealer Brent Ashworth and Ronald Fox, co-chair of the Utah Commission for the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

Taken as a whole the pieces present a panoramic view of American history starting with the Declaration of Independence, through to the Gettysburg Address and then on into pieces of modern history like an original Superman costume that Christopher Reeve wore and one of the original Darth Vader costumes.

“They’re very expensive and they’re very hard to find,” Fox told St. George News Friday evening as the display was being set up in the Tabernacle basement.

“But they’re nice once you get them, and it gives a good understanding of what history is all about,” Fox added.

Fox pointed out his “History of Flight” collection that includes photographs signed by Orville Wright, Charles Lindbergh and several Apollo astronauts.

There’s also a signed letter by John F. Kennedy awarding a medal to Alan Shepard, the first American in space.

“We want to bring history to the West. We feel that’s really significant,” Shannon Bowler, events director for United We Pledge, told St. George News.

“We’re really good at pioneer history here in Utah,” she added. “We want to bring American history awareness and education for our youth to our community.”

Bowler was on the other side of the basement, demonstrating how copies of the Declaration of Independence were produced on a replica of an 18th-century printing press.

The display of historical artifacts is open to public viewing in the basement of the Tabernacle over the holiday weekend.

Anyone interested can view the display Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those are the same hours the Tabernacle is open.

All visitors are allowed one free copy of the Declaration of Independence printed on the authentic printing press.

For a full list of holiday events put on by United We Pledge, including a prayer for religious freedom and a 4th of July parade, visit this website.

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