“The die is cast. All is at stake. The way is made plain.”
At 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, the people of Newburyport will gather in Market Square to hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud, 250 years to the day after it was first publicly read there. This public reading is the central moment of Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast, a full day of Revolutionary history, community participation, demonstrations, music, family activities, and historic sailing vessels stretching from Brown Square to the waterfront.
The Museum of Old Newbury, in partnership with the Custom House Maritime Museum, Lowell's Boat Shop, the First Religious Society, Theater in the Open, the City of Newburyport, the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, and many more community partners, will present Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast on Sunday, July 19, 2026, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Newburyport.
Throughout the day, Revolutionary townsfolk, soldiers, sailors, demonstrations, and three historic sailing vessels will bring the past to life, along with family activities from Brown Square to the waterfront from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Period activities will include artillery and musket demonstrations, arts, crafts, printing, cooking, and tattooing experiences. These activities are designed to build toward the 2 p.m. reading in Market Square and then carry the commemoration forward to the waterfront.
At a glance
What: A public commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Newburyport's first reading of the Declaration of Independence, centered on a community reading in Market Square at 2 p.m., with music, reenactors, family-friendly activities, a waterfront salute by three historic vessels, and more.
When: Sunday, July 19, 2026. Reading of the Declaration at 2 p.m. Activities take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Brown Square to Market Square, with a stop at the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church, followed by a waterfront observance and family-friendly activities.
Includes: A community reading of the Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary soldiers, sailors, and colonial-era townspeople, ceremonial music and salutes, the arrival of the Schooner Ardelle, the Schooner Isabella, and the Pinnace Virginia, a replica of Maine's oldest ship, privateers on board, public access to all three vessels until 5:30 p.m., and activities for families.
John Hancock Signature from Custom House Maritime Museum Document
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast offers a chance not only to remember the past, but to renew a shared civic promise.
Newburyport, MA: The Museum of Old Newbury, in partnership with the Custom House Maritime Museum, Lowell's Boat Shop, the First Religious Society, Theater in the Open, the City of Newburyport, the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and many more community partners, will present Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Market Square, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Newburyport.
Sponsored, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, the Institution for Savings and The Deck.
Event is free. Donations are appreciated. Bring your own folding chairs if desired. No assigned seating.
Newburyport 250 DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE DAY: The Die is Cast
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2026 | DOWNTOWN NEWBURYPORT & WATERFRONT
All daytime activities are free and open to the public.
PUBLIC TIMELINE
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Revolutionary Newburyport Comes to Life
Brown Square and downtown Newburyport | Meet soldiers, sailors, tradespeople, and townsfolk. Explore historic printing, period cooking, arts and crafts, military interpretation, maritime history, and hands-on demonstrations.
1:45 p.m. Procession to Market Square
Brown Square to Market Square | Follow dignitaries, militia, and eighteenth-century townspeople, with a ceremonial pause and musket salute near the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church. Best viewing location is along Inn Street.
2:00 p.m. 250th Anniversary Reading of the Declaration
Market Square | Welcome by Mayor Sean Reardon, Senator Bruce Tarr, and Governor Maura Healey; arrival of the Declaration by horse and rider; Dramatic reading by Paul Wann, Bonniejean Wilbur, and Edward Speck of Theater in the Open; and a musket salute.
3:00 p.m. Continue to the Waterfront
Market Square to the waterfront | Visitors will be directed to the Custom House lawn, boardwalk, and waterfront for the afternoon celebration.
Approx. 3:00–4:00 p.m. Historic Vessels Arrive
Newburyport boardwalk | Welcome the Schooners Ardelle and Isabella and the Pinnace Virginia as they pass the boardwalk, accompanied by musket and signal-piece salutes.
3:15–5:30 p.m. Family Activities and Demonstrations
Custom House lawn and waterfront | Enjoy steam bending, family-friendly activities, Revolutionary demonstrations, Newburyport Art Association activities, and tours of the Custom House Maritime Museum!
4:00–7:00 p.m. Historic Tattoo Demonstration
Boardwalk and Custom House lawn | Learn about tattoo traditions among sailors and maritime communities through an educational living-history presentation.
Until 5:30 p.m. Public Vessel Access
Waterfront | Three historic vessels are available to view, with interpreters present. Boarding opportunities are subject to weather, vessel capacity, accessibility, and crew direction. Dogs are not permitted aboard vessels unless they are trained service animals.
LIVING HISTORY AT A GLANCE
Featured Portrayals
- Nathaniel Tracy
- James Warren
- Lord Timothy Dexter
- Militia and Alarm List
- Newburyport Independent Artillery Company
- Marine recruitment party from the USS Boston
- Crew of the privateer Game Cock
- Tavern keepers
- Lace makers and milk maids
- Chocolate makers and milliners
- Sailmakers and shopkeepers
- Historic printing press
- Shirt makers supporting Massachusetts troops in the Continental Army
- Historic tattoo artist
- British prisoners of war
Units Represented
- 2nd Massachusetts Regiment
- 2nd New Hampshire, Cherry’s Company
- 3rd Massachusetts Regiment
- 4th Essex County Militia
- 10th Massachusetts Regiment
- 13th Continental Regiment
- Acton Minutemen
- Crane’s Artillery
- Ladies Association of Revolutionary America
- Lexington Minutemen
- Lincoln Minutemen
- Capt. Palmes’ Company of Continental Marines, frigate Boston
- Crew of the privateer Game Cock
- Sudbury Militia
- Tew’s Company
- 1st Regiment of Foot Guards
- 4th Regiment of Foot
- 10th Regiment of Foot
- 17th Regiment of Foot
- 27th Regiment of Foot
- Claus’ Rangers
Portrayals, units, demonstrations, and locations are subject to change.
Presented by the Museum of Old Newbury, Custom House Maritime Museum, Lowell's Boat Shop, City of Newburyport,
Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, and many community partners.
Funded in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, with additional sponsorship from Institution for Savings and The Deck.
Schedule subject to change because of weather, safety requirements, and vessel operations.