Municipalities across Franklin County will read the Declaration of Independence in celebration of 250 years since America’s founding.
The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence took place on July 8, 1776, at the State House Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Col. John Nixon publicly read the document for the first time in front of elected officials and citizens.
Greenfield
Greenfield will hold a Declaration of Independence reading on Wednesday, July 8, at 6 p.m. on Court Square in front of City Hall. The event is part of Sharing the Spirit of America, a statewide and nationwide initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence.
Community members are invited to join city officials in reading sections of the declaration. Participants will read from one of 351 hand-printed reproductions of the printed copies of the Declaration of Independence that were sent to parishes throughout the state after the original signing. The authentic reproductions were created using 18th-century techniques by historian and printer Gary Gregory at the Museum of Printing in Haverhill.
“We are incredibly honored to take part in Sharing the Spirit of America,” Mayor Ginny Desorgher said in a statement. “Reading from a hand-printed reproduction and having multiple voices from our community come together to read these foundational words reminds us of our shared history and the enduring relevance of the Declaration of Independence.”
Orange
The town is planning a shindig to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
Festivities are scheduled to begin at the bandstand at Butterfield Park at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8. The Orange Community Band will play patriotic songs for an hour, and Julie Capone-Bouchard will be a featured performer. Ann Reed will deliver a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.
People are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Pop’s Sweet-Harts Ice Cream Truck will be on hand.
In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will be moved inside Town Hall’s Ruth B. Smith Auditorium.
Leyden
The town of Leyden will join the 250th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, July 8, with an event at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. The gathering will feature a multigenerational reading of the Declaration of Independence, a folk sing-along and a neighborhood potluck dinner.
The evening will begin with a reading of the nation’s founding document, brought to life by a diverse cast of Leyden residents and family members representing multiple generations. By featuring voices of all ages, the reading aims to connect local history directly with the community’s future.
Following the reading, attendees are invited to raise their voices together in a folk music sing-along. The performance will be led by folk artists Paul Kaplan and Annie Patterson.
The celebration will conclude with a community-wide cold food potluck. Neighbors are encouraged to bring a cold side dish or salad to share, and to showcase their patriotic spirit by creating red, white and blue desserts.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity for Leyden to come together, reflect on our shared history, and celebrate 250 years of independence through the powerful mediums of spoken word, music and food,” event coordinator Pam Brown said in a statement.
The event is presented in partnership with the Massachusetts 250 Commission and is sponsored by the Leyden Selectboard, Historical Commission, Cultural Council, Recreation Committee and Robertson Memorial Library.
Leverett
Another reading will be held at the Leverett Public Library at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8.
Attendees are invited to read aloud portions of the Declaration of Independence, relay-style. Refreshments will include iced tea.
Whately
State Sen. Paul Mark, Town Clerk Amy Lavallee and potentially Whately Selectboard Chair Fred Baron will read the Declaration of Independence on the steps of Town Hall, 194 Chestnut Plain Road, on Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m.
“I can’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday than by sharing the words that helped give birth to our nation and reflecting on the enduring principles of liberty, self-government, and the responsibility we all share to preserve them,” Lavallee said. “It reminds us where we came from, encourages us to be engaged citizens, and brings our community together to commemorate the founding of the United States. Publicly reading the declaration gives us an opportunity to pause, reflect on those ideals and appreciate the courage of those who signed a document that forever changed history.”