Wednesday, July 8th, 2026
Ink & Independence Day
ALL DAY
⭐ Featured Event: Viewing of the Declaration of Independence ⭐
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Richard. I Burnham Resource Center
Join us in Newport County for a special viewing of the Declaration of Independence from the Rhode Island State Archives, as part of a county-wide tour and Rhode Island’s ongoing commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
This rare archival document offers an opportunity to engage directly with Rhode Island’s revolutionary history and the broader story of how the ideals of independence were communicated and preserved for the public.
The Rhode Island State Archives continues to safeguard these foundational records, ensuring that future generations can access and learn from the documents that shaped our nation. This program will include the opportunity to view this rare document and speak with content experts about its significance in Rhode Island’s and the nation’s history.
⭐ Featured Event: Printing Press Demonstration 1:00 PM ⭐
Richard. I Burnham Resource Center
Before the Declaration could inspire a nation, it had to be printed. This talk examines the crucial work of Rhode Island printer Solomon Southwick, printer of the Newport Mercury. Southwick, who set the type and printed the first copies of the Broadside in Rhode Island that carried the message of independence to the people of Rhode Island. Learn how the Common Press operated, how type was set by hand, and how speed and accuracy mattered in a moment of revolution. This program brings to life the physical craft behind one of history’s most powerful documents. Guests will have the opportunity to operate a simple printing press and print their own copy of the Declaration of Independence!
Gary Gregory, The Printing Office of Edes & Gill
Gary Gregory is a historical interpreter, printer, and founder of The Printing Office of Edes & Gill, where he brings the craft and culture of 18th-century printing to life for modern audiences. Specializing in the work of colonial Boston printers, Gary interprets the vital role print shops played in shaping public opinion and spreading revolutionary ideas in the years surrounding the American Revolution.
Gary regularly presents to school groups, tourists, and history enthusiasts, offering engaging, hands-on experiences that connect audiences to the people, tools, and ideas that fueled the Revolutionary era. His programs emphasize the intersection of print, politics, and public discourse, illustrating how the printed word helped ignite a movement and define a nation.
For more information about Independence Week events visit DiscoverNewport.org/250th