NEWBURYPORT — Just a day away from America’s 250th anniversary, local residents spoke about how the historic maritime city will celebrate throughout the month.
“There is truly no better place to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary than in a historic Massachusetts seaport like Newburyport,” Mayor Sean Reardon said. “Our streets, waterfront and historic buildings tell the story of our nation’s founding, and generations of residents have helped shape the American story.”
The city, which recently celebrated its own 175th anniversary, has deep ties to the American Revolution, leading to the community fully embracing the historic festivities. Even the city’s crosswalks have been painted red, white and blue.
Much of the history that is being celebrated at is being put on display at the Custom House Maritime Museum. Museum director James Russell said they have a rather crowded month set up to honor the occasion.
“What we have in the month of July is a broad spectrum of activities from high-end exhibits, with the Declaration of Independence being a highlight, with that leaving Newburyport on July 19th,” Russell said. “We have lectures surrounding the Declaration of Independence. Then a variety of programs and activities for families.”
Visitors to the Custom House Maritime Museum have been able to enjoy a rare 1833 copy of the Declaration of Independence, which was first put on display June 19.
It was printed on fine rice paper about 1833 and inserted into Volume 1 of Peter Force’s monumental “American Archives” documentary series.
The document spearheads the museum’s special exhibition “Ink, Iron & Independence”, which opened to members June 18 and to the public a day later.
Only a few hundred are known to survive today, making these prints both rare and desirable, according to museum officials.
Russell said another big way they plan on celebrating the 250th anniversary is with an event called Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast.
It is set for July 19, and organized by several municipal entities, businesses and organizations, including the Museum of Old Newbury, the Custom House Maritime Museum, Lowell’s Boat Shop, the First Religious Society, Theater in the Open, the City of Newburyport and the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce.
The event will start at 1:30 p.m. with a procession to Market Square, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Newburyport.
This event is sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism as part of the statewide MA250 campaign.
A public commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Newburyport’s first reading of the Declaration of Independence, with community readings, Revolutionary soldiers, sailors and colonial era townspeople, ceremonial music and salutes, the arrival of two schooners honored by privateers on board, and with public access to the schooners until 5:30 p.m., plus activities for families on the Custom House lawn.
“It’s been a pleasure working with the Museum of Old Newbury, Lowell’s Boat Shop and many other nonprofits in town to present this July 19th event,” Russell said.
Reardon said the city is lucky to have so many groups dedicated to serving as historical stewards.
“It is an incredible honor to serve as mayor during this historic moment and to help ensure that our city’s story continues for generations to come,” Reardon said.
Helping Russell with these events and others planned throughout the month at the Custom House are a group of student interns. Among them is rising Newburyport High School sophomore Parker Jackman, who said he grew up in the area and has always been fascinated with history.
“So getting to be part of that history, especially with the 250th of the country, it’s very impactful,” Jackman said.
Fellow intern and rising NHS junior Ryan McCann said it is a very unique moment in time.
“I can compare it to the Bicentennial in the ‘70s,” McCann said. “This is sort of a celebration that you don’t see very often, so I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Maxwell Walker, a rising sophomore at St. Anselm College, said the 250th anniversary has been a great opportunity to reflect on all that has transpired in Newburyport.
“Just seeing what we have and who we are as a people, and I think it’s just wonderful to celebrate that through the maritime history,” Walker said.
Russell said the celebration brings people together.
“And I think that’s a terrific thing, to develop a sense of our shared history and strengthen the fabric and community,” Russell said. “I’m also hoping that it draws people to Newburyport so that they can see the rich treasures that this town has got to offer.”
Those keen on enjoying fireworks on the Fourth will want to visit neighboring communities such as Amesbury, which has fireworks set for 5:30 p.m. at Woodsom Park, and Salisbury, which has fireworks set for 10:15 p.m. at Salisbury Beach.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.