July 4th Virtual Celebration

When Keeler Tavern Museum opened on July 4, 1966, we celebrated with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a watermelon picnic. We revived this tradition in 2016 for our 50th Anniversary and have made it an annual celebration. This year, we're unable to gather in person, but are happy to bring you a virtual celebration, including the reading of the Declaration of Independence and watermelon slicing. This virtual celebration also includes a brief history of our nation's flag, a kids' craft, flag retirement ceremony, old-fashioned picnic, and musical entertainment by the Angry O'Hara's.

Now more than ever we depend on your support to keep our (virtual) doors open. Thank you for your generous DONATION today!


Reading of the Declaration of Independence & Watermelon Slicing

A dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence (abridged) by Don Daughters and the ceremonial slicing of a watermelon by Mark Blandford. The video of the reading will premiere at 11 a.m. on July 4th.

 

"Oration, Delivered in Corinthian Hall, Rochester, July 5, 1852" Speech by Frederick Douglass

In 1852, Frederick Douglass - abolitionist, orator, and former enslaved person - was asked to deliver a speech to the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society commemorating Independence Day. On July 5, he delivered a speech that would be considered his most famous and most poignant. His speech acknowledges that the American Founding Fathers were great men for their ideals of freedom as laid out in the Declaration of Independence, but also highlights the hypocrisy of those ideals when slavery still existed on American soil—the legacy and consequences of which we are still grappling with today.

We encourage you to listen to this reading by Ossie Davis of Frederick Douglass' speech, now known as "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July" or "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro." Recording from Smithsonian Folkways Recording.

Part 1 Part 2
Read the text of the full speech here.

 

"What to the Modern Black American is the Fourth of July" by Not Your Momma's History

Cheyney McKnight, founder and owner of Not Your Momma's History, is a living historian, advocate, and consultant helping museums, historic sites, and others develop programs about slavery and Africans in 18th- and 19th-century America. Cheyney works with us at KTM&HC developing school programs that address the hard history of slavery and the black experience here in Ridgefield and at the Keeler Tavern in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In this video, Cheyney ponders the question posed by Fredrick Douglass' famous speech, "what to the slave is the fourth of July?"


Flag Retirement Ceremony with the Marine Corps League and American Legion Post 78

KTM&HC Board Member, Hilary Micalizzi introduces this video of representatives from Ridgefield's Marine Corps League and American Legion Post 78 conducting a flag retirement ceremony, properly disposing of her father's American flag, which is no longer suitable for use.

 
 

History of the Flag and Kids Craft

Hilary presents a brief history of the American Flag, from the Union Flag to the 50-star flag of today.

Click to Download an American Flag History Craft


Cooking a July 4th Picnic

Cheryl Crowl, Patty Linnon, and Carol Vazzana show us how to prepare an old-fashioned July 4th picnic, including mock-turtle soup, corn pone, pickled watermelon, and apple pan dowdy. Download the recipe book for the recipes in the video and more!

Apple Pan Dowdy with Patty Pickled Watermelon with Cheryl
Turtle Soup, Corn Pone, and Lemonade with Carol Click for Recipes
 

Baack to the Green Lamb Decorating Contest Winners Announcement

Did you know that Ridgefield schools during the 18th century were funded by lambs? That's right, lambs. The town owned 2,000 lambs that property owners could rent to fertilize and maintain their fields and lawns, and proceeds funded school programs. KTM&HC brought the lambs back this year (sort of) with a decorating contest. 29 lambs were decorated by community members and put out to "graze" on KTM&HC's front lawn.

On July 3, a panel of judges awarded prizes in multiple categories, which will be announced on our Facebook page. A second round of voting by the public is now open on our Facebook page. Voting is open until July 8 at 5 p.m.

Click here to go to our Facebook page to vote for your favorite decorated lambs!

 

Angry O'Haras

Since 2016, the Angry O'Haras have provided lively musical entertainment at our July 4th celebrations, and 2020 is no different. This performance was streamed live on Facebook during the Make Music Day performance at KTM&HC on June 21, 2020. We apologize for the video quality, but the audio is superb!

Chris Anderson—lead guitar, vocals
Mike Crescenzo—bass, vocals
Gerry O'Hara—banjo, guitar, vocals
Austin Scelzo—fiddle, vocals
Guest Artist: Jim Courtney—harmonica

 

We hope you enjoyed our virtual July 4th celebration! Please share this page with your family and friends. You can come back and watch the videos at any time. And don't forget to try the recipes. Let us know how they taste! Check our events page and social media for upcoming events, including Keeler Kids summer camp.

Now more than ever we depend on your support to keep our (virtual) doors open. Thank you for your generous DONATION today!