Liberty and Legacy kicks off a summer of history
As it turns out, this summer is not only the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“It’s 250 for the U.S.,” said Cindy Foote, a trustee for the Concord Historical Society, “and for Concord it’s 300 [years]. So we are going to have a toast.”
The toast will celebrate a gathering of New Hampshire’s founding fathers in 1776, Foote said. “The men came and sort of broke down the arguments of ‘Do we want to be a part of this? Should New Hampshire be part of [the new American country] and be the ninth state so we can ratify and become our own?’ It took place on June 21, which is why we decided to celebrate it on June 20, this year. The toast took place at a house that’s right there on North Main, on June 20, 1788, so we’re going to do the same.”
This year’s toast will be part of “Liberty and Legacy: a Civic Saturday Social” on Saturday, June 20, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Kimball Jenkins Estate, 266 N. Main St., in Concord, which Foote described as a sort of American history variety show.
“We have performers that are going on the stage. We have a folk singer who plays guitar. We’re going to have a reading of the Declaration of Independence, with a man in garb. We’ll have an organ recital. Obviously, there’ll be a beer tent [“Obviously,” because most of the U.S. Founding Fathers were notoriously fond of drinking.] There will be food trucks, cotton candy and popcorn. It’s an event that’s free to the public, but once you get there, some things will be charged.”
And no, she stressed, the beer will not be free.
“The Concord Coach will be there,” Foote continued. An actor named Andrew Pinard will be on hand, in character as Jonathan Harrington, a 19th-century magician. “He’s doing an hour-long show and it’s based on the time period. We’re going to have historical interpreters walking around in time period clothing, chatting.”
And then there’s the toast.
“The mayor is going to come and lead a toast,” Foote said. “He’ll say a few words, and then everyone in the audience is going to say ‘HUZZAH!’ The Friendly Toast has offered some sparkling cider to the mayor for the toast. That will happen three times during the day. So hopefully everyone will get to experience it. And Captain Bell’s Company, which is a group of Revolutionary War re-enactors, they’re going to shoot off their muskets just before we say ‘HUZZAH!’”
In addition to historical re-enactment, Foote said, “Binney Media is actually going to do two tours of their facility because their facility is actually a very historic place and they have artifacts there and they’ll explain them, so they’re getting in on the act. There will be farm equipment from Morrill Dairy Farm, some old farm equipment. Kids’ games are going to be taking place at Concordia Church. There will be a whole lineup of old-fashioned games for kids. We also have coins for sale — it’s a commemorative coin. There are only 300 of them, and when they go, they go.”
Liberty and Legacy: Civic Saturday Social
When: Saturday, June 20, from 1 to 6 p.m.
Where: Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord
Admission: free
More: kimballjenkins.com
Featured photo: Andrew Pinard as Prof. Harrington. Photo courtesy of Kimball Jenkins.