Mendon Cultural Council backs mock Declaration signing for Aug. 2

Cultural Council · Meeting of April 29, 2026

Mendon Cultural Council backs a mock Declaration of Independence signing planned for Aug. 2, the 250th anniversary of the document's completion. Chair Joanne Lamothe told the ad hoc planning committee the council has committed $1,200 toward the event, organized after she brought the idea to the Select Board and it agreed to let the Cultural Council run it without a separate town appointment. Plans include closing streets near town hall for a 3 p.m. signing ceremony, a trolley loop to the Mendon Historical Society museum and a local inn, and outreach to a fife-and-drum corps.

Members debated opening the roster of "56 signers" to women and children rather than limiting it to men, as in 1776, saying they wanted the reenactment to reflect "we the people" as it stands today. A companion house-decorating contest runs June 1 through July, with the winner honored at the signing. No formal votes were taken; organizers said police costs for the street closures could consume much of the committee's budget.

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Source: the Cultural Council meeting of April 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.