Join First Parish in celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence!
Did you know that the Declaration of Independence was first read publicly in Weston from the pulpit of First Parish Church?
On September 8 of 1776 —250 years ago— the Minister of First Parish, the Rev. Samuel Woodward, read the Declaration of Independence aloud to the townspeople of Weston at the conclusion of the Sunday Service. Several other neighboring towns here in the Massachusetts colony did the same thing.
Join us for a celebration to mark this special anniversary!
This event is a community-wide event hosted and sponsored by The Weston Historical Society and First Parish Church in Weston.
*All events are held at First Parish (either the lawn or inside the building) unless otherwise noted.*
- 12:00 noon – Reading of the Declaration of Independence
- Gather with us where it was first read in Weston 250 years ago, outside on the front lawn of First Parish Church (or in our Parish Hall if it’s raining.)
- 12:00 – 4:00 PM – Tours and Carriage Rides (sponsored by the Weston Historical Society)
- Join us for fun and entertainment around the Town Green and Josiah Smith Tavern.
- 12:35 PM – Lizzy’s Ice Cream
- Sponsored by First Parish, come over to our front lawn to enjoy a generous scoop of Lizzy’s Ice Cream and yummy toppings! All donations go to support a local non-profit.
- 12:30 – 2:30 PM – Clock Tower Climb
- Climb the 68 steps of the First Parish bell tower and see the Paul Revere Bell that tolls by the Town Green every hour.
…Did you know that Paul Revere was a Unitarian and a successful silversmith and businessman? He developed a foundry in Canton with his sons in 1803, where our bell was forged.
- Climb the 68 steps of the First Parish bell tower and see the Paul Revere Bell that tolls by the Town Green every hour.
- 2:00 PM – Second Reading of the Declaration of Independence (organized by the Weston Historical Society)
- at the Josiah Smith Tavern
- 4:00 PM – Featured Lecture: “Lighting the Fire of Revolution” at First Parish Church
- Featuring history teacher and historian Charles Newhall, the afternoon lecture is titled “Lighting the Fire of Revolution – Massachusetts in the 1770’s.”
- 5:00 pm – Wine & Cheese Reception in the Parlor at First Parish Church
- Colonial attire welcome and encouraged.
Questions? Contact the Rev. Jeff Barz-Snell for more information.