Then...
By the spring of 1776, the question of independence was on the minds of those living in the thirteen American colonies. The Patriots were winning the hearts and minds of many; however, for various reasons, not every colonist was in favor of breaking ties with Great Britain.
As the Second Continental Congress convened, delegates who supported independence recognized that they must address this divide. They believed the colonies needed to demonstrate to the rest of the world that they were united in their efforts to gain independence, as popular support alone would not be enough to make it happen. Acknowledging that Congress could not declare independence without a vote by the provincial governments it was established to represent, Congress requested delegates seek instruction from their home governments on how to vote on the matter.
Some colonies, such as Massachusetts, took this as an opportunity to directly request feedback from each individual town. On May 10, a motion in the Massachusetts General Court ordered, “… a Committee to bring in a Resolve recommending the several Towns in the Colony to give Instructions to their Representatives, with respect to INDEPENDENCE.” Others, such as New Hampshire, opted to issue their own declarations on behalf of their constituents in response to Congress’s request.
By early July, Congress was prepared to vote on what is known today as the Lee Resolution, a three-part motion declaring independence from Great Britain, in addition to proposing the formation of foreign alliances and preparation of a plan of colonial confederation. On July 2, Lee’s resolution on independence was approved by 12 of the 13 colonies. Over the following two days, text for the Declaration of Independence was drafted and revised, and on July 4 approved by Congress and sent to the printer. Within two weeks, the Massachusetts legislature ordered the document be proclaimed in every village and town and recorded in their Town Books, “to remain as a perpetual Memorial Thereof.”
John Trumbull - The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
Now...
The spring and summer of 2026, when the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, is a fitting moment to commit to refamiliarizing ourselves as a nation with the complexities surrounding this historical document and the process through which it was created, as well as the ideals it espouses the American people—and its government—to live up to. The Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area’s award-winning program, Declaring Independence: Then & Now provides the opportunity to do so.
A forty-minute public performance piece in which a narrator and cast of five bring to life the Declaration of Independence—our nation’s “sacred scripture”—Declaring Independence: Then & Now uses primary source material researched by citizen historians to reveal how individuals within their communities debated and responded to the question of independence in the spring and summer of 1776. Their responses are woven into a script—written by public historian Mary Fuhrer—built around the Declaration itself.
Offered in the spring and summer of 2026, each community-sponsored program is individually tailored to provide background information relevant to its setting, as well as an opportunity for discourse. Declaring Independence: Then & Now is funded in part with support from the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati.
Reenactors from Woburn, MA
Saturday, May 16
The 2026 series begins as part of Sudbury 250th Day on Saturday, May 16, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm! Gather at the First Parish of Sudbury at 12:30 pm for an engaging performance hosted by the Sudbury Historical Society. Afterward, enjoy a reception at the c. 1730 Loring Parsonage, home to the Sudbury History Center and Museum in historic Sudbury Town Center.
Experience Declaring Independence: Then & Now on Saturday, May 16 at 4:30 pm, hosted by the Princeton Historical Society and Princeton Historical Commission at the First Congregational Church of Princeton. A guided community conversation will follow, offering space to reflect and share perspectives.
Benjamin Franklin reading draft of Declaration of Independence, John Adams seated, and Thomas Jefferson standing and holding feather pen and paper
Friday, May 29
Join the Stow Historical Society on Friday, May 29 at 7:00 pm for a lively community performance at the historic Stow Town Hall. The evening will conclude with an ice cream social.
Thursday, June 4
The Nashua Historical Society will host back-to-back performances of Declaring Independence: Then & Now at 5:00 and 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 4 at the Society’s Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Old State House
Saturday, June 13
Kick off the weekend on Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 am with the Fitchburg Historical Society and Three Pyramids at the Adrian L. Ford Center for Change. Presented in collaboration with Openest Mic and Stratton Players, this performance blends history and contemporary expression. Stay afterward for an open poetry, music, and story-sharing session with local participants.
Celebrate Flag Day in Woburn on Saturday, June 13! Gather at 10:30 am on Main Street, at the original site of the Fowle Tavern, the meeting place of the Woburn Militia, and enjoy fife and drum music while following the reenactors to Woburn City Hall. Or meet there on the steps, at 11:15 am, when the Woburn Historical Society and the Woburn 250th Celebration Committee will host a performance of Declaring Independence: Then & Now. Take a short walk across the street to the Woburn Public Library to view an original copy of the Declaration of Independence—one of only twenty surviving copies of its type. The document will be on display from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
On Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 pm, the Ashby Historical Society will host Declaring Independence: Then & Now at the Ashby Congregational Church off the historic town common. Experience a thought-provoking performance in an intimate setting that invites reflection on independence, community, and shared responsibility.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Cowpens, SC.
Sunday, June 14
Gather at Acton Congregational Church—across the road from the towering Isaac Davis Monument—on Sunday, June 14 from 2:00-5:00 pm for a performance hosted by Acton 250. A facilitated community conversation and snacks will follow, creating space for dialogue and shared insight.
The Harvard Historical Society will host a compelling performance of Declaring Independence: Then & Now on Sunday, June 14 at 2:00 pm at the 1832 Baptist Church in Still River, home of the Society since 1966. In this historic space, attendees are invited to consider the local dimensions of a national story.
On Sunday, June 14 at 2:00 pm, join the Hudson Historical Society and members of the community at the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson for an engaging afternoon program that connects historic ideals with present-day civic life. The Unitarian Church was the site of Hudson’s first Town Meeting in 1866, and where many other important meetings and events took place over the years. Join us for the event and for refreshments as we consider the impact of the Declaration of Independence!
Declaring Independence: Then & Now, Westford, MA
Saturday, June 27
Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 27 at 2:00 pm, when the Groton History Center presents Declaring Independence: Then & Now at the Old Groton Meetinghouse, built in 1755. This iconic landmark provides a fitting backdrop for an exploration of independence and interdependence.
Sunday, June 28
Visit the 1791 Meeting House Museum on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 pm for a thought-provoking performance hosted by the Ashburnham Historical Society. Built atop historic Meeting House Hill, the town’s second meeting house was relocated to its current location in 1836 and has served as home to the Society since 1964.
Saturday, July 4
Celebrate Independence Day on Saturday, July 4 at 7:00 pm with Lexington History Museums at the Lexington Depot. This special event offers a moment of reflection and renewal on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in a community central to the Revolutionary story. The program will conclude with a performance by the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers and an ice cream social.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Painting by Filippo Costaggini.
Saturday, July 12
The 2026 series will end on Sunday, July 12 at 1:30 pm at the Westford Museum, located within the original 1794 Westford Academy building. Enjoy an engaging performance hosted by the Westford Historical Society, followed by spirited period music provided by the Prescott Battalion Fife and Drum Corps.
Learn more and register for a Declaring Independence: Then & Now program near you at FreedomsWay.org
