A series of celebrations leading to next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4 kicked off in Conroe Sunday afternoon.
The Montgomery County America 250 committee — a subcommittee of the Montgomery County Historical Commission — hosted the series’s first event, commemorating the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech.
During the event, Montgomery County’s own “Liberty Tree” was dedicated on the grounds of the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County.
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What is America 250?
America 250 is a national initiative with events, programs and recognitions leading up to the 250th anniversary of the US’s independence from British rule in July.
“America’s 250th anniversary is about more than reflecting on our past, it’s about honoring the contributions of individuals who built this country, the innovations that put this country on the map and a man on the moon, and imagining what the next 250 years might look like for our children and the generations to come,” said Rosie Rios, chair of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission.
Local engineer and community activist Ron Saikowski is heading up the Montgomery County America 250 committee.
“It is such a valuable thing to pay homage to those who have provided us with the concept that our country is run under providing us with ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” he said.
What is the kickoff event about?
On Sunday afternoon, groups including the Montgomery County Historical Commission, the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, the Capt. Ed Weyman Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution, the Coushatti Trace and Margaret Montgomery chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the Freedom Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and Montgomery County VFW Post 4709, came together to commemorate the 250th anniversary of lawyer and politician Patrick Henry’s passionate speech.
His goal was to persuade Virginia colonists to prepare for war against an increasingly punitive Great Britain, just weeks before the American Revolution began, according to Associated Press reporting.
Ed Sellards, a member of the Freedom Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, recited Henry’s speech during the event with vigor.
Montgomery County’s own ‘Liberty Tree’
Members of the historical groups also dedicated a new “Liberty Tree” on the grounds of the Heritage Museum. It is a Mexican Red Oak planted between the Strake Gray House and the Grogan Cochran House.
The original Liberty Tree was a large elm planted near Boston Common in 1646. The Sons of Liberty a group advocating for colonists against British taxation and rule met at the tree, and it was the site of various historic events during the Revolution, according to information from the American Battlefield Trust.
Today only a plaque and a small plaza remain at the tree’s location. The tree was cut and burned in the Siege of Boston in 1775, according to the Trust website. The Montgomery County tree was planted by the city of Conroe, which owns the park. The tree was donated by Trees for Houston.
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What is next for America 250?
The second event in the Montgomery County series will take place April 19, also at the Heritage Museum. Historians will reconvene to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride. A time has not yet been set.
“On the evening of April 18, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren summoned Paul Revere and gave him the task of riding to Lexington, Mass., with the news that British soldiers stationed in Boston were about to march into the countryside northwest of the town,” according to information from The Paul Revere House historic site.
Follow the Montgomery County Historical Commission’s Facebook page for more upcoming events.
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