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X-WR-CALNAME:Newburyport Road to Revolution | Museum of Old Newbury | MA 250
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Newburyport Road to Revolution | Museum of Old Newbury | MA 250
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260719T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260719T170000
DTSTAMP:20260717T210755Z
CREATED:20260624T193400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T210755Z
UID:11345-1784469600-1784480400@newburyport250.org
SUMMARY:Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast
DESCRIPTION:Overview\nCommemoration of the 250th anniversary of NBPT’s first reading of the Declaration of Independence\, with readings\, music\, reenactors and more\n\n\nNewburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast \nSunday\, July 19\, 2026 \nFree and open to the public. Donations are appreciated. \nAt 2 p.m. on Sunday\, July 19\, 2026\, the people of Newburyport will gather in Market Square to hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud\, 250 years to the day after it was first publicly read there. This public reading is the central moment of Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast\, a full day of Revolutionary history\, community participation\, demonstrations\, music\, family activities\, and historic sailing vessels stretching from Brown Square to the waterfront. \nThe Museum of Old Newbury\, in partnership with the Custom House Maritime Museum\, Lowell’s Boat Shop\, the First Religious Society\, Theater in the Open\, the City of Newburyport\, the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce\, and many more community partners\, will present Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast on Sunday\, July 19\, 2026\, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Newburyport. \nThroughout the day\, Revolutionary townsfolk\, soldiers\, sailors\, demonstrations\, and three historic sailing vessels will bring the past to life\, along with family activities from Brown Square to the waterfront from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Period activities will include artillery and musket demonstrations\, arts\, crafts\, printing\, cooking\, and tattooing experiences. These activities are designed to build toward the 2 p.m. reading in Market Square and then carry the commemoration forward to the waterfront. \nSponsored in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) as part of the statewide MA250 campaign. \nAt a glance \nWhat: A public commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Newburyport’s first reading of the Declaration of Independence\, centered on a community reading in Market Square at 2 p.m.\, with music\, reenactors\, family-friendly activities\, a waterfront salute by three historic vessels\, and more. \nWhen: Sunday\, July 19\, 2026. Activities take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The procession begins at 1:45 p.m. at Brown Square\, leading to the central 2 p.m. reading and commemorative program in Market Square. Waterfront activities and public access to the vessels continue until 5:30 p.m. \nWhere: Brown Square to Market Square\, with a stop at the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church\, followed by a waterfront observance and family-friendly activities. \nIncludes: A community reading of the Declaration of Independence\, Revolutionary soldiers\, sailors\, and colonial-era townspeople\, ceremonial music and salutes\, the arrival of the Schooner Ardelle\, the Schooner Isabella\, and the Pinnace Virginia\, a replica of Maine’s oldest ship\, privateers on board\, public access to all three vessels until 5:30 p.m.\, and activities for families. \nOn July 19\, 1776\, the people of Newburyport assembled at the Meetinghouse then standing in Market Square to hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud for the first time. In the aftermath of that extraordinary moment\, patriot and future Senator Tristram Dalton wrote to Elbridge Gerry\, “The die is cast. All is at stake. The way is made plain.” \nThat plain way was not peace\, comfort\, or certainty. It was sacrifice. War had already touched Newburyport for more than a year\, but the Declaration transformed resistance into resolve. It proclaimed before the world that Americans were entitled to “Life\, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness\,” and most Newburyporters were prepared to defend those rights at any cost. \nTwo hundred and fifty years later\, Newburyport will gather again to remember that turning point in the life of the town and the nation. The day’s activities will lead toward the same place and hour at which the meaning of the commemoration comes most clearly into focus: Market Square at 2 p.m. The day will begin with Revolutionary programs and demonstrations throughout downtown\, and at 1:45 p.m. a procession will depart from Brown Square\, travel to Market Square\, and include a stop at the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church. At 2 p.m.\, the public commemoration will begin in the heart of downtown. This anniversary observance invites the public to stand where earlier generations stood and to hear once more the words that changed the course of our history. \nThe 2 p.m. program will bring together neighbors and friends\, past and present\, along with Revolutionary soldiers\, sailors\, colonial-era townsfolk\, and special guests\, for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. With music\, salutes\, and ceremonial observances\, the event will honor those who\, in 1776\, pledged to each other their “Lives\, Fortunes\, and sacred Honor” in the defense of liberty. \nFollowing the Market Square program\, participants will proceed to the waterfront to greet the arrival of three historic sailing vessels: the Schooner Ardelle\, the Schooner Isabella\, and the Pinnace Virginia\, a replica of Maine’s oldest ship. There\, the commemoration will continue with salutes by privateers on board\, recalling the maritime world in which Newburyport lived\, fought\, and sacrificed during the Revolution. All three vessels will remain in port and be available to the public until 5:30 p.m. \nAs the nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence\, Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast offers a chance not only to remember the past\, but to renew a shared civic promise. At the center of the day is the 2 p.m. reading of the Declaration in Market Square\, when the community will once again gather around the words that announced a new nation. It is a day to reflect on the cost of freedom\, the courage of those who declared it\, and the enduring obligation to defend the rights and principles for which they risked everything. \nEvent is free. Donations are appreciated. \n\nNewburyport 250 DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE DAY:\nThe Die is Cast\nSUNDAY\, JULY 19\, 2026 | DOWNTOWN NEWBURYPORT & WATERFRONT\nAll daytime activities are free and open to the public. \nPUBLIC TIMELINE\n10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Revolutionary Newburyport Comes to Life \nBrown Square and downtown Newburyport | Meet soldiers\, sailors\, tradespeople\, and townsfolk. Explore historic printing\, period cooking\, arts and crafts\, military interpretation\, maritime history\, and hands-on demonstrations. \n1:45 p.m. Procession to Market Square\nBrown Square to Market Square | Follow dignitaries\, militia\, and eighteenth-century townspeople\, with a ceremonial pause and musket salute near the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church. Best viewing location is along Inn Street. \n2:00 p.m. 250th Anniversary Reading of the Declaration\nMarket Square | Welcome by Mayor Sean Reardon\, Senator Bruce Tarr\, and Governor Maura Healey; arrival of the Declaration by horse and rider; Dramatic reading by Paul Wann\, Bonniejean Wilbur\, and Edward Speck of Theater in the Open; and a musket salute. \n3:00 p.m. Continue to the Waterfront\nMarket Square to the waterfront | Visitors will be directed to the Custom House lawn\, boardwalk\, and waterfront for the afternoon celebration. \nApprox. 3:00–4:00 p.m. Historic Vessels Arrive\nNewburyport boardwalk | Welcome the Schooners Ardelle and Isabella and the Pinnace Virginia as they pass the boardwalk\, accompanied by musket and signal-piece salutes. \n3:15–5:30 p.m. Family Activities and Demonstrations\nCustom House lawn and waterfront | Enjoy steam bending\, family-friendly activities\, Revolutionary demonstrations\, Newburyport Art Association activities\, and tours of the Custom House Maritime Museum! \n4:00–7:00 p.m. Historic Tattoo Demonstration\nBoardwalk and Custom House lawn | Learn about tattoo traditions among sailors and maritime communities through an educational living-history presentation. \nUntil 5:30 p.m. Public Vessel Access\nWaterfront | Three historic vessels are available to view\, with interpreters present. Boarding opportunities are subject to weather\, vessel capacity\, accessibility\, and crew direction. Dogs are not permitted aboard vessels unless they are trained service animals. \nLIVING HISTORY AT A GLANCE\nFeatured Portrayals\n– Nathaniel Tracy\n– James Warren\n– Lord Timothy Dexter\n– Militia and Alarm List\n– Newburyport Independent Artillery Company\n– Marine recruitment party from the USS Boston\n– Crew of the privateer Game Cock\n– Tavern keepers\n– Lace makers and milkmaids\n– Chocolate makers and milliners\n– Sailmakers and shopkeepers\n– Historic printing press\n– Shirt makers supporting Massachusetts troops in the Continental Army\n– Historic tattoo artist\n– British prisoners of war \nUnits Represented\n– 2nd Massachusetts Regiment\n– 2nd New Hampshire\, Cherry’s Company\n– 3rd Massachusetts Regiment\n– 4th Essex County Militia\n– 10th Massachusetts Regiment\n– 13th Continental Regiment\n– Acton Minutemen\n– Crane’s Artillery\n– Ladies Association of Revolutionary America\n– Lexington Minutemen\n– Lincoln Minutemen\n– Capt. Palmes’ Company of Continental Marines\, frigate Boston\n– Crew of the privateer Game Cock\n– Sudbury Militia\n– Tew’s Company\n– 1st Regiment of Foot Guards\n– 4th Regiment of Foot\n– 10th Regiment of Foot\n– 17th Regiment of Foot\n– 27th Regiment of Foot\n– Claus’ Rangers \nPortrayals\, units\, demonstrations\, and locations are subject to change.\nPresented by:\n– the Museum of Old Newbury\n– Custom House Maritime Museum\n– Lowell’s Boat Shop\n– City of Newburyport\n– Greater Newburyport\n– Chamber of Commerce\, and many community partners.\n\nFunded in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism\, with additional sponsorship from Institution for Savings and The Deck.\nSchedule subject to change because of weather\, safety requirements\, and vessel operations.
URL:https://newburyport250.org/event/newburyport-250-declaration-of-independence-day-the-die-is-cast/
LOCATION:Market Square\, Newburyport\, MA\, Downtown Newburyport\, Newburyport\, MA\, 01950\, United States
CATEGORIES:Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newburyport250.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NBPT-250-Declaration-Banner.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Museum of Old Newbury":MAILTO:info@newburyhistory.org
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