In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the America 250 New Rochelle Committee will present “Voices of We the People,” a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and other foundational texts as part of the nationwide America 250 commemoration.
The event will take place on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM in front of New Rochelle City Hall in New Rochelle, New York, and is free and open to the public, inviting friends and neighbors to gather for a community picnic marking this historic occasion.
This year’s program also recognizes a historic milestone: the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Westchester County on July 11, 1776, connecting New Rochelle’s commemoration to one of the earliest moments the nation’s founding ideals were shared publicly in the region.
“This event is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the rich and complex story of our American democracy,”said Lisa Burton, Chair of the America 250 New Rochelle Committee. “We see this as an opportunity to uplift the voices and seminal texts that helped expand who we are as Americans. This family event is a celebration of community, history and the ever-evolving ideals of our great American story. “
The commemorative program will feature a series of readings and presentations, including:
- A formal reading of the Declaration of Independence
- A reading from the Indigenous people of this region.
- Readings from the works of Frederick Douglass
- A reading from the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments
- A multilingual reading of the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
In addition to the formal program, the event will include:
- Local food trucks – bring picnic blankets!
- NRCA’s “It Happened Here” art exhibit, showcasing local history and storytelling in City Hall’s rotunda
- An interactive “Wish Wall,” inviting participants to share their hopes for the future of the United States
In advance of the event, residents are invited to contribute to “250 Songs for 250 Years,” a community initiative collecting songs that reflect the American experience to help create a community-curated anniversary soundtrack.
To submit songs and learn more about America 250 New Rochelle, visit www.NewRochelleNY.gov/250
