July 4 was not free for all
Event marks famous 1852 talk by Frederick Douglass
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which famously pronounced the nascent country’s ideals included the belief “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Speaking Saturday at the Stephen and Harriet Myers residence, which 80 years after the country’s founding was part of the Underground Railroad movement to help the some 4 million Black people still enslaved in America find freedom, the Rev. Roxanne Booth said, “People of African descent were not included in the lofty words of the Declaration of Independence.”
Booth, co-pastor of Riverview Baptist Church in Coeymans and an Africana studies professor at the University at Albany, added, “Those words and ideals did not include my ancestors.” Further, she said, they did not include the abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass, whose famed 1852 speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” has been the focal point of an annual Independence Day event at the Myers house on Livingston Avenue, head
onstrations.
One other site more north — Fort Ticonderoga in the Adirondacks — is also offering Independence Day programming.
Here are some of the events happening:
Fort Ticonderoga 102 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga
Sunday, July 4, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open to visitors since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga, a recreated French fort, has preserved 2,000 acres at the crossroads of Lake Champlain and the northern end of Lake George, as well as Carillon Battlefield, and has the largest series of untouched Revolutionary War era earthworks surviving in America. The fort was initially constructed in the 1750s on the site during the French and Indian War, and the location was used by colonist to defend themselves against the British during the Revolutionary War.
On Sunday, reenactors
will pose as soldiers of the Northern Continental Army. Craftsmen will work to resupply soldiers with clothing, shoes, and equipment, as the soldiers work to prepare themselves, cannons and ammunition, ready to stop an invasion by the British Army and its naval fleet on Lake Champlain.
Clermont 1 Clermont Ave., Germantown
Sunday, July 4, Noon to 5 p.m.
Every square foot of this 1740 home in Columbia County that belonged to the Livingston family tells a rich story of opposition to the Crown. Robert “The Chancellor” Livingston served on the Committee of Five to draft the Declaration of Independence, and his brother, Henry Beekman Livingston, was hailed a hero at the last major battle fought in the north, The Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey.
In October 1777, British troops marched to the front steps of the Clermont mansion and torched the house and 24 buildings
belonging to the Livingstons. The family would rebuild from 1779 to 1782, thanks to efforts by Margaret Beekman, the wife of Robert “The Judge” Livingston, who served on the New York Supreme Court of Judicature.
On July 4th, the Clermont State Historic Site has scheduled an immersive day of American history featuring many familyfriendly demonstrations including paper making, the duties of a soldier and even a cooking lesson from culinary historian Lavada Nahon.
Fort Montgomery State Historic Site 690 Route 9W, Fort Montgomery
Sunday, July 4, Noon
During the Revolutionary War, both British and American forces surrounded New York City, leaving land in the Lower Hudson Region for the taking. Fort Montgomery was the backdrop for a Revolutionary War battle known as the “Battle of the Clintons” since the British general Sir Henry Clinton faced off with American generals George Clinton and brother James Clinton.
On Oct. 6, 1777, Loyalist, British and Hessian (German) forces led an assault against Patriots in the fort. The British landed near Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton with 2,000 men — outnumbering the American forces 3 to 1 — and swept through the fort in a decisive, bloody conflict.
On America’s birthday, the Fort Montgomery State Historic Site holds its annual cannon-firing ceremony, firing off its 6-pounder cannon nicknamed “Ana” at noon. The day will be filled with military drills as well as a daylong blacksmithing demonstration where families can watch master blacksmiths hand forge nails and hooks.
The Dewint House 20 Livingston St., Tappan
Sunday, July 4, 3 to
4:30 p.m.
The Dewint House holds the distinction of being both the oldest structure in Rockland County and the site for George Washington’s temporary
headquarters on four separate occasions. In one of his famous stays in 1780, Washington returned to the home for the trial and subsequent hanging of traitor Major John André, who conspired with fellow British spy, General Benedict Arnold. Together they provided important intel about West Point to British forces.
The Dewint House has arranged a casual day of music for the holiday. Bridgemusik, a nonprofit group of renowned professional musicians known for leading master classes for students interested in classical music, will be accompanied by awardwinning jazz singer Shirley Crabbe. Self-guided tours of the site will also be open.
Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History 6615 NY-97, Narrowsburg
Saturday July 10,
Noon to 3 p.m.
Having a backyard barbecue or going elsewhere on July 4th? Fort Delaware’s Independence Day event takes place the following
weekend to extend your celebration. Patrons can take part in blacksmithing demonstrations and other educational facets of colonial life. A recitation of the Declaration of Independence will be performed and, because the community that Fort Delaware is meant to replicate was a Loyalist stronghold called Cushetunk during the Revolution, there will be a spoken Tory oppositional response.
Sullivan County historian John Conway explained that the Declaration of Independence wouldn’t have been read aloud in Cushetunk until July 10, at which time Loyalists could voice their opposition. In fact, one of Cushetunk’s most prominent residents was the British spy, Robert Land.
Christopher Cicchiello is an editorial intern pursuing a degree in journalism from Syracuse University. For story ideas and inquiries, you can reach him at christopher.cicchiello@ hearst.com. The Times Union’s Lauren Stanforth also contributed.