LONGMEADOW — Even though the Fourth of July has long passed, Longmeadow isn’t losing the 250th anniversary spirit as the town will plant a liberty tree and hold a reading of the Declaration of Independence on Oct. 4.
The event, titled “Celebrating our Declaration of Independence: A Public Reading and the Planting of the Tree of Liberty,” marks 252 years since one of the earliest declarations of independence came from Worcester residents at a town meeting on Oct. 4, 1774.
It is organized by the Longmeadow Revolution 250 Committee, Historical Society and Tree Committee.
Town Meeting supports the event, which begins at 1 p.m. on the Town Green. It coincides with the Friends of Storrs Library “Homes Through the Centuries” walking tour — a free self-guided tour through historic Longmeadow homes.
A press release states, “all are welcome to renew our commitment to democracy and freedom.”
The original Liberty Tree was a large elm tree near Boston Common, where the intersection of Washington and Essex Streets is today.
Planted in 1646, the tree saw some of the country’s most historic moments, such as the funeral procession for Boston Massacre victims and Sons of Liberty protests against British taxation and rule.
British soldiers and Boston Loyalists — those who remained faithful to the British crown — cut the tree down and burned it in 1775 during the Siege of Boston, yet the stump still remained a symbol of freedom.
Over 300 copies of the Declaration of Independence were distributed across the state for communities to gather for public readings after its signing on July 4, 1776.
The release states, “we celebrate that reading with a shared reading by Longmeadow youth.” Every Longmeadow school has been invited to the event.
Tree Committee and Rev250 Organizing Committee member Lou Kornet told Reminder Publishing an objective for the event is to involve younger generations, which is why middle and high school students will take on the task of reading.
“The Longmeadow Town Tree Committee will join a nationwide initiative by planting a Liberty Tree, an American Elm, in honor of the 250th anniversary celebration of our country,” Kornet said in the release. “The term, Liberty Tree, was often used to describe a large tree that was used as a landmark for communities to gather and discuss important news of the time.”
Town Moderator Rebecca Townsend assisted in organizing the event. She said in the release, “I look forward to hearing those who are the future of our nation reaffirm the principles in the Declaration of Independence.”
More information on the Longmeadow Historical Society and Rev250 can be found at longmeadowhistoricalsociety.org.
