Declaration Reading in Montville Will 'Cheer Our Founding'

Independence Day will be celebrated in Montville Township on Thursday morning with a reading of the Declaration of Independence outside a stone house where George Washington stayed after the Battle of Springfield.

The Montville Area Tea Party is presenting the July Fourth reading in partnership with the Montville Township Historical Society for a third year in a row.

The event is slated to include members of Montville Township Police Explorer Post 805 presenting the colors, students singing the national anthem and reading the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, and several people taking turns reading from the Declaration of Independence.

Kathy Fisher of the Montville Township Historical Society is expected to discuss Montville's role in the Revolutionary War.

"It behooves us to cheer our founding," said Scott Russell, a board member of Montville Area Tea Party who suggested starting the tradition. "It's the story of our independence."

Remembering the country's history is especially "relevant in today's turbulent political climate," Russell said.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Doremus House, 490 Main Road (Route 202), Montville. Parking is available across the street at Sea Breeze. Seating and water are supplied. The event is expected to last about an hour.

Built in 1760, the Doremus House is the oldest Dutch stone house in Montville.