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Then and Now in Concord
[Event listing courtesy of Ravi Simon]
A Living History Recreation of Concord’s First Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence — with Historical Context, Open Debate, and a Citizens’ Vote
CONCORD, MA — The Wright Tavern Legacy Trust and Freedom’s Way invites the citizens of Concord and the surrounding community to step back in time for “Declaring Independence: Then and Now in Concord,” a unique living history program taking place on Saturday, July 11, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the steps of First Parish in Concord. A reception will follow at the Wright Tavern, 2 Lexington Road, Concord, MA.
This is not a lecture or a re-enactment seen from a distance. It is an immersive civic experience that places you inside one of the most charged moments in American history: the day ordinary citizens first heard the words of the Declaration of Independence — and were asked what they thought.
Experience What It Felt Like on That Day
In the summer of 1776, as word of independence spread through the colonies, Massachusetts towns gathered in their meeting houses and public squares to hear the Declaration read aloud — often for the very first time. Citizens listened, debated among their neighbors, and voted on whether to formally accept this extraordinary document. It was democracy at its most immediate: no newspapers, no intermediaries, just the words themselves and the people who would have to live by them.
On July 11, the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust and Freedom’s Way will recreate that experience in the very place where the Revolution found its footing. Five community leaders of Concord will each take a portion of the Declaration and read it aloud to the assembled gathering, as was done in 1776. The program will be moderated by the Chair of the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust, together with a member of the Concord Minutemen, lending the occasion the gravity and authenticity it deserves.
Before the reading, attendees will receive historical context on how Massachusetts communities across the Commonwealth received and responded to the Declaration — the debates, the doubts, and the courage it took to say yes. Afterward, the floor will open for discussion, and all present will have the opportunity to cast their own vote on whether to accept the Declaration of Independence. After the vote by the gathered citizens, a reception will be held in the Wright Tavern. Attendance is free, but a donation is greatly appreciated.
Event Details
Program: “Declaring Independence: Then and Now in Concord” Date: Saturday, July 11, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Steps of First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Road, Concord, MA Reception: To follow at the Wright Tavern, next to First Parish
Admission: Open to the public. All citizens welcome. Donations are welcome!!!
The Ground Where History Was Made
There is no more fitting setting for this program than Concord’s historic center. First Parish in Concord, where the program will be held, has stood as a center of civic and spiritual life for nearly four centuries. The adjacent Wright Tavern — built in 1747 and used as a command post by both colonial militia and British officers on the morning of April 19, 1775 — offers a direct and tangible connection to the events that made independence not just an idea but a necessity.
Together, these two landmarks set a stage that no modern venue could replicate. When the Declaration is read on those steps, the words will carry the weight of the ground beneath your feet.
“This program will take you back in time and let you experience what it might have been like when the Declaration of Independence was first introduced — and challenged people to start a new nation.”
— Tom Wilson, Chair, Wright Tavern Legacy Trust
About the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust
The Wright Tavern Legacy Trust is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of the Wright Tavern and its pivotal role in the American Revolution. Through educational programs, living history events, and community partnerships, the Trust brings the stories of Concord’s past to life for residents and visitors of all ages.
MEDIA CONTACT
Wright Tavern Legacy Trust
Tom Wilson, Chair
Marybeth Kelly, Director of Operations
2 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617-281-1198
Website: www.Wrighttavern.org