A Reading of the Declaration of Independence & Celebration
Saturday, July 18th, 2026

On July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first publicly proclaimed in Massachusetts, read aloud in Boston just two weeks after its adoption by the Continental Congress. That historic moment echoed far beyond the Old State House, traveling along the Commonwealth’s ports, wharves, and maritime communities that were already shaping the course of resistance and independence.

Liberty Declared commemorates this pivotal July 18 tradition by bringing the words of the Declaration to life in New Bedford—a port city whose ships, sailors, merchants, and maritime industries were deeply intertwined with the Revolutionary cause. Central to that story is the Dartmouth, a vessel built in this region and forever linked to the Boston Tea Party, symbolizing how Massachusetts’ maritime economy helped ignite a revolution.

Presented at the New Bedford Whaling Museum and in conversation with the exhibition Forging Independence: Building a Nation, this program invites visitors of all ages to engage with the Declaration not only as a historic document, but as a living expression of liberty, resistance, and civic responsibility. These ideals resonated along New Bedford’s waterfront in 1776 and continue to shape public life today.

Through a community reading, activities, and opportunities for reflection, participants will explore how the ideals proclaimed on July 18 influenced the creation of the United States and continue to challenge each generation to consider the meaning of freedom, protest, representation, and participation in a democracy.

What to Expect (Free with Museum Admission)

11:30 AM – Gather & Go
Gather beneath the whale skeletons in the Jacobs Family Gallery and join a procession led by fife and drum musicians to the Cook Memorial Theater for a welcome and opening remarks.

12:00 PM – Community Reading of the Declaration of Independence
In the Cook Memorial Theater, local residents, families, students, and community leaders participate in a shared reading of the Declaration of Independence, honoring the tradition of its first public proclamation in Massachusetts on July 18, 1776.

Explore & Discover (Self-Guided)
Maritime Connections to Independence: Discover how vessels such as the Dartmouth and the region’s merchant and whaling fleets contributed to the events that led to American independence.

Civic Reflection: Consider the meaning of liberty then and now by adding your thoughts, questions, or commitments to a community reflection scroll.

Explore Museum Galleries: Engage with Forging Independence: Building a Nation and related exhibitions that place New Bedford within the broader story of America’s founding.

The above portion of the program is family-friendly and included with museum admission. Blending history, place, and participation, Liberty Declared honors July 18 as a defining Massachusetts moment and celebrates New Bedford’s role in the currents of independence that helped shape a nation.

2:00–3:00 PM – Liberty Declared Tea Reception (Ticketed: $12.50 Members | $25 General Public)
Continue the celebration with live music and light refreshments inspired by the late eighteenth century. Guests will enjoy non-alcoholic grog, a selection of teas and citrus beverages, and an assortment of smoked, dried, and pickled foods, along with pies, preserves, and traditional johnnycakes.

Join us as we reflect on the ideals of independence, community, and civic engagement in a uniquely New Bedford setting.