July 4 event to feature readings of foundational American texts, song at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center

oin us for the July 4th Family Day and the town’s America250 kickoff this July 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center, where local community members – including ASL interpreter Suzanne Terrio and Avi Kimmel, pictured above at last year’s July 4th event – will participate in readings of the Declaration of Independence and Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July,” as well as a rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

At the July 4^th Family Day & Townwide America250 Kickoff next week, a group of local community members will participate in a powerful performance to honor community and independence. The event is hosted by Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (KTM&HC) as part of the Ridgefield Commemorates America at 250 (RCA250) initiative.

On Friday, July 4, 2025, event attendees will gather on KTM&HC’s front lawn at 1:30 p.m. to listen to some of the most impactful historic language that has helped give shape to our national identity: the 1776 Declaration of Independence, the 1893 song “America the Beautiful,” and Frederick Douglass’s 1852 speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”. American Sign Language interpreter Suzanne Terrio will interpret all three pieces.

The performances are directed by Kimberly Wilson, an accomplished vocalist and performer. Wilson will also be singing “America the Beautiful” and reading excerpts from “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July.” “I am truly blessed to be a leader and active participant in this event,” said Wilson. “We celebrate the Declaration of Independence, a powerful document which represents and empowers the core values of this country for all its citizens – to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For all its citizens.”

The Declaration of Independence will be read, in its entirety, by eight local community members: Namya Chouhan, a rising 8^th grader at Scotts Ridge Middle School and Ms. President US Ridgefield 2024; Rommie Duckworth, fire chief for the Town of Ridgefield; Ira Joe Fisher, Ridgefield Poet Laureate; John Frey, former Connecticut state representative; Rajender Kaur-Dugal, professor of English and director of the Global Asian Studies Program at William Paterson University; Avi Kimmel, an in-house counsel for a real estate company who has performed Declaration of Independence readings at KTM&HC since 2022; Rudy Marconi, Ridgefield’s first selectperson; and Ron Ross, retired public school educator.

Dr. Kaur-Dugar shares that this commemoration is particularly significant for her, as 2025 marks her 25^th year living in Ridgefield: “Being a part of the reading of this inspiring foundational document of the United States is a validation of my deepest held beliefs in equality and inclusiveness, and in the promise of America as a beacon of hope for all.”

“I have had the privilege of serving this historic community for nearly thirty years,” Fire Chief Duckworth states. “It is a profound honor to take part in the reading of the Declaration of Independence at Keeler Tavern, a site that witnessed the struggle for American liberty during the Battle of Ridgefield. Participating together here today connects our present service to the legacy of those who fought for liberty here during the Revolutionary War.”

The July 4th Family Day is Friday, July 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at KTM&HC. It will feature a wide range of family-friendly activities, including kids’ games and a scavenger hunt, live music and dancing, museum tours, demonstrations of historic crafts such as spinning and shoemaking, and a dunk tank for “King George.” There will also be a vintage firetruck, free watermelon, and 250th-anniversary merchandise. Many local community organizations will host booths with information about upcoming events and initiatives. Grilled BBQ menu options and other refreshments will be for sale, with vegetarian options available.

This year’s festivities at KTM&HC launch RCA250, a town-wide initiative observing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. RCA250 is a group of ten residents who were appointed by Ridgefield’s Board of Selectpersons. As an affiliate of the America 250 Connecticut Commission, RCA250 is thrilled to present a series of town-wide initiatives running from July 4, 2025, to July 4, 2026. This commemoration will feature historical exhibitions, community gatherings, and educational programs that highlight our shared history and inspire a collective future.

On the eve of the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, KTM&HC is committed to helping audiences more deeply understand our nation’s history and the Declaration itself – its words, its historical context, and its legacies – through a combination of programs and events that leverage our site-specific history, engage with complexity, and connect to larger national themes. America250 is an opportunity for us to think carefully about our country and our collective identity: to celebrate strengths, grapple with weaknesses, and imagine possibilities for our future. KTM&HC is taking the lead in engaging our audiences locally and nationally, through a robust schedule of programs and community collaborations.

Admission to the July 4^th Family Day and Townwide America250 Kickoff is free for all. No onsite parking. Off-site parking at the First Congregational Church and Jesse Lee Church. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to another venue, TBA (check KTM&HC’s website and social media for updates). Proceeds from donation jars will benefit KTM&HC’s ongoing site preservation and general operations. All proceeds from the BBQ will benefit the RCA250 town committee.

Thank you to our Founder Sponsor, Fairfield County Bank, and to our additional sponsors: Addessi Jewelers, Bach to Rock, Georgia Carrington, Chefs Warehouse, Community Stroll, Dimitri’s Diner, Elizabeth Ellis, the Wadsworth R. Lewis Fund, Local-Insta.com, Montanari Fuel Service, Palazzo Landscaping, PepsiCo, Ridgefield Prime, Ridgefield Theater Barn, Ridgefield Thrift Shop, and the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut.

For more information and a schedule of upcoming events, visit keelertavernmuseum.org and ridgefieldct250.org.

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July 4 event to feature readings of foundational American texts, song at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center