A small mahogany desk with a 250-year history

NPR | By Clare Lombardo

Published June 29, 2026 at 2:32 PM MDT

Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a small, portable desk 250 years ago. Today, it's on display in the Smithsonian.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.

Donate