On Saturday, July 6, The Friends of Colonial Pemaquid will host a memorable celebration of our country’s 243rd Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event will be held at the Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site in New Harbor and will begin at 2 p.m. There will be a public reading and commentary by living history interpreters and a portrayal of historic figures who supported or opposed the American Revolution. There is no charge for the program, though donations are appreciated. The rain date is scheduled for Sunday, July 7.

Our country’s Independence was fought long before 1776. When armed conflict between bands of American colonists and British soldiers began in April 1775, the Americans were ostensibly fighting only for their rights as subjects of the British crown. By the following summer, with the Revolutionary War in full swing, the movement for independence from Britain had grown, and delegates of the Continental Congress were faced with a vote on the issue. In mid-June 1776, a five-man committee including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin was tasked with drafting a formal statement of the colonies’ intentions. The Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence–written largely by Jefferson–in Philadelphia on July 2, and was first printed on July 4, a date now celebrated as the birth of American independence.

While on site, visitors are encouraged to experience English Frontier settlement life in the New World during the 17th and 18th centuries by visiting a reconstructed fort with permanent exhibit, archaeological ruins, cemetery, artifact museum, and a recreation of a 17th century thatched roof cottage. Additionally, the newly re-opened gift shop located in front of the historic Fort House will delight visitor’s of all ages. Site-related gifts, as well as colonial toys and books, works by local artists and authors, Maine crafts, salt glaze pottery, Maine and Celtic music, pirate novelties, Native American books and jewelry, and candy are available for purchase.

The Colonial Pemaquid Historic State Site is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.

For more information about The Friends of Colonial Pemaquid, a volunteer organization now in its 26th year, visit www.friendsofcolonialpemaquid.org

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