Marblehead is celebrating America’s 250th birthday this Fourth of July with living history, music, art and cannon fire, honoring the town’s Revolutionary roots from Abbot Hall to Fort Sewall.
At 11:30 p.m., the Select Board read the Declaration of Independence in front of the “Spirit of ’76” painting on the first floor. State Rep. Jenny Armini, who lives in town, delivered a replica of Ezekial Russell Declaration to town leaders. It is printed using the same Franklin-type press that was used in 1776.
“Massachusetts is the only state that asked every town clerk to handwrite the text in the town’s record books and asked every minister to read it from every pulpit in every parish,” Armini said. The state is commemorating the 250th by delivering a copy of the Declaration to every city in town in Massachusetts today.
The Declaration was read again at St. Michael’s Church and then at Fort Sewall, where Glover’s Marblehead Regiment also fired 14 cannon volleys, one for each colony in 1776 and a 14th to honor all members of the regiment who have died.
A crowd gathered, following instructions to “cover their ears and open their mouths” to dull the impact of the cannon fire.
At the same time, a boat parade traveled the inside the harbor.
Of course, the best is yet to come. Concerts @ Crocker continue through the night leading into the July Fourth Harbor Illumination and fireworks display.
