Reading of Declaration of Independence and Frederick Douglass speech

The Chapin Library of rare books at Williams College will host the annual July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence by actors from the Williamstown Theatre Festival at 1:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Actors will read from the second floor outside balcony of Sawyer Library. Visitors should gather on the library quad west of Sawyer Library and between Schapiro and Hollander halls. In case of inclement weather, the event will take place inside Sawyer Library.

Since 1987, Williams College and the Williamstown Theatre Festival have made it an annual tradition to celebrate Independence Day by reading the Declaration of Independence, the British reply of September 1776, and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. This year’s reading will also include a selection from “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July,” a speech by Frederick Douglass.

Additionally, all of the Chapin Library’s collection of the Founding Documents will be on view from 12 to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. in the Chapin Gallery on the second floor of Sawyer Library (Room 406).

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