NEWBURYPORT — Flooding Market Square and spilling into Inn Street and State Street, hundreds of people crowded into downtown Newburyport on Sunday to be a part of history as the Declaration of Independence was read aloud in the same spot it was first read locally exactly 250 years ago.
“This is a truly magnificent day, and the skies cooperated, didn’t they?” Gov. Maura Healey said, as she addressed the crowd from a stage set up in Market Square. “Because they know there’s something special about the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence right here where we stand today.”
Waving mini American flags, some sat in lawn chairs while others did their best to find standing room, Market Square was packed to the brim well before the planned 2 p.m. community reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Among the crowd were a few reenactors, easily identifiable from their large era-appropriate hats.
The main force of reenactors arrived at 2 p.m. as part of a procession from Brown Square to Market Square, which saw Healey arrive alongside Mayor Sean Reardon, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, and members of the City Council.
Reenactors were fully decked out for the occasion, wearing Revolutionary War coats and wielding muskets.
Healey was among those who addressed the crowd prior to the reading, which was assembled by the Museum of Old Newbury in partnership with the Custom House Maritime Museum, Lowell’s Boat Shop in Amesbury, the First Religious Society, Theater in the Open, the City of Newburyport, the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and more community partners.
“I feel today the specialness of this place,” Healey said. “And for those of you who live here or in this vicinity, know that you are stewards of a special place.”
Tarr was another one of the speakers, at one point rallying the crowd with a chant of “Huzzah” as everyone enthusiastically joined him.
“What we will soon hear, I hope, is the most transformational document in the history of the United States, and I dare say the world,” Tarr said. “Why is it transformational? Because they rose up, and they said that rights are inalienable, and we all have those rights.”
Reardon also took the time to share some words with the hundreds gathered in Market Square.
“As one of the nation’s oldest seaports, our waterfront helped fuel commerce, shipbuilding, and the fight for independence,” Reardon said. “Today, we are proud to honor that legacy while sharing it with the next generation. Following today’s reading, I encourage everyone to visit our waterfront, where two historic tall ships will be open to the public. They serve as a wonderful reminder of Newburyport’s rich maritime heritage and the vital role this community played during the birth of our nation.”
Following the speeches, a reenactor on horseback arrived with the Declaration of Independence, leading into the reading.
While the main event of the day was the Declaration of Independence, it was sandwiched by complementary events.
In the lead-up to the reading, beginning at 10 a.m., reenactors and historic demonstrations were on full display.
Following the Market Square program, the public was invited to head to the waterfront to greet the two historic tall ships, which were set to remain in port and on view to the public until 5:30 p.m.
Additionally, family activities and demonstrations resumed after the reading, including a historic tattoo demonstration on the waterfront.
The event was sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism as well as community sponsors the Institution for Savings, The Deck and Giuseppe’s.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.