Simsbury celebrates America’s Independence with tree dedication, reading and patriotic music

Kevin Beal of Simsbury, playing the role of Oliver Wolcott, reads from the Declaration of Independence. 

By John Fitts

Editor

Like many towns, Simsbury hosted a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, marking 250 years since the first public readings of the document. The document had been approved by Congress on July 4 of 1776. It is believed that most of those who signed it did so on Aug. 2 of that year. 

In Simsbury this July 8, the Simsbury 250th Celebration Committee hosted a Simsbury 250th Celebration Kick-Off Night. They began the evening with the dedication of a Liberty Tree on the grounds of the Historical Society. The tree signifies not only the 250th but is also a reference to the original Liberty Tree, cut down by the British in August of 1775, that was a prominent symbol of the Revolution. 

Following the dedication, the reading of the declaration commenced with four area residents playing the roles of those Connecticut men who signed the declaration: 

• Stephen Maher played the role of William Williams

• Andrew Sharp played Roger Sherman

• Paul Henault as Samuel Huntington

• Kevin Beal as Oliver Wolcott. 

In addition to the reading, each actor gave background on the signers. 

Finally, the Simsbury Community Band performed on the historical society grounds. VL

Lisa Abel, music director of the Simsbury Community Band, leads its members. 

Members of the Simsbury Community Band

Paul Henault of Simsbury – playing Samuel Huntington – reads from the Declaration of Independence. 

Andrew Sharp played Roger Sherman.

Stephen Maher, playing William Williams, reads from the Declaration of Independence. 

Representatives from the organizations that sponsored the Liberty Tree dedication pose with town officials and local officials and members of the Simsbury 250th Celebration Committee. The tree is behind them at left. 

Jane McAlpine, Executive Director of the Simsbury Historical Society and co-chair of the Simsbury 250th Celebration at the Liberty Tree Dedication. 

Bob Moody, co-chair of the Simsbury 250th Celebration Committee speaks at the Liberty Tree Dedication.