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Reading of the Declaration of Independence - Twice!

11 minutes ago
2 min read


One of the highlights of the America 250 Heritage Festival: Celebrating Clayton’s Story on Saturday, September 12, will be two live readings of the Declaration of Independence, at 12 noon and 2:30 p.m.


Community leaders, business owners and other Clayton-area residents will take turns reading portions of the Declaration from a stump at Clayton Town Square, 100 W. Main Street in downtown Clayton.


On July 22, 1776, the North Carolina Provincial Council of Safety learned of the Continental Congress’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence. That same day, it resolved that the document be “proclaimed in the most public manner” by committees of safety across the state. Halifax was chosen for the first reading because of the colony’s earlier Halifax Resolves of April 12, 1776 — the first official action by an American colony authorizing its delegates to support independence from Great Britain. By August 9, the Council had formally recognized North Carolina as an independent state.


Our Clayton readings will honor that tradition of publicly proclaiming the Declaration — but with the voices of the community we are today. Our readers are Black and white, women and men, and represent different ages, backgrounds, professions and experiences. Two hundred fifty years later, the words will not belong to people dressed as figures from 1776. They will be spoken by the people of Clayton in 2026 — a reminder that the Declaration is not simply a document from our past, but part of an American story that continues to be written.


12:00 p.m.

Develle “Bo” Durham, Commander, American Legion

Ruth Anderson, Clayton Commissioner

Dana Wooten, President & CEO, Clayton Chamber of Commerce

Porter Casey, Clayton, Commissioner

Andria Archer, Clayton Commissioner

Karen Keeslar, President, The Woman’s Club of Clayton

Mike Stojic, Owner, Revival 1869


2:30 p.m.

Develle “Bo” Durham, Commander, American Legion

Andria Archer, Clayton Commissioner

Michael Sims, Vice President, T&T Creative Group

Karen Keeslar, President, The Woman’s Club of Clayton

Mike Stojic, Owner, Revival 1869

Melissa “Mel” Poole, Manager, Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library

Brent Stineman


The Clayton Historical Association will have free copies of the Declaration of Independence available at its tents throughout the festival, while supplies last.


America 250 Heritage Festival: Celebrating Clayton’s StorySaturday, September 12 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.Clayton Town Square | 100 W. Main StreetFestival admission is FREE

 

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