A public reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at the State Historical Society of Missouri, 605 Elm St., Columbia, on July 8, 5 p.m. The nation’s founding document will be read simultaneously across the United States to mark the 250th reading of the Declaration of Independence. The public is invited to attend for free the Declaration of Independence Festival, which will include a reception at 4 p.m. Tiger Stripe ice cream will be served to the first 250 guests in attendance. The Barter Boat will also be open to visitors who bring an item to trade for another treasure from 3-7 p.m. Following the public reading, actors from the Lyceum Theatre will portray John and Abigail Adams and Columbia native Theron Denson, known by his stage name “Black Diamond” is a Neil Diamond tribute artist who has performed across the country and has opened for The Pointer Sisters, Boys II Men, Sheena Easton, and the Spinners, among other top entertainers.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Columbian Chapter and Sons of the American Revolution will be part of an Honor Guard beginning at 4:50 p.m. The ceremony includes Kassena Ridgel, a recent graduate of Centralia High School, who will sing the National Anthem. Mid Missouri residents will be reading portions of the Declaration of Independence including Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, retired NASA Astronaut Linda Godwin, and Vietnam POW Colonel John Clark.
Other 250 events at the State Historical Society of Missouri includes the professional vocal ensemble Prometheus, which will launch their American Voices tour at the State Historical Society of Missouri on July 2, 6-8 p.m. The evening combines Missouri’s rich musical heritage with regional cocktails and storytelling by Larry Brown of Columbia. Prometheus is under the direction of Dr. R. Paul Crabb, University of Missouri professor emeritus. Donations will be accepted to support the Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri.
Several 250-related lectures will also be held at the State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia on June 30 at noon. SHSMO’s regional director Bill Eddleman will speak about the events of the American Revolution and its aftermath that led to the settlement of Southeast Missouri. Eddleman will outline the factors attracting Americans to Spanish Louisiana and the veterans from the American Revolution who settled in Southeast Missouri.
SHSMO trustee and senior U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. will give at talk on July 1 at noon on General Lafayette’s triumphal visit to St. Louis on April 29, 1825. Lafayette, the last of the surviving generals from the Revolutionary War, visited St. Louis on a year-long tour of the United States at the invitation of President Jame Monroe and the United State Congress to give a first-hand view of what the nation had become leading up to the 50th year of United States Independence.
The events are free. Declaration of Independence Festival is sponsored by SHSMO and Veterans United Foundation. Ice cream is generously donated by Daughters of American Revolution Columbian Chapter. The public, all ages, are welcome to attend. More details and other programs related to America 250 are listed on SHSMO’s US at 250 webpage.