Historical Society gears up for Fourth of July

To the Editor:

Think about the Merricks in 1776: farmland stretching as far as you can see, interrupted by a few roads and the stagecoach stop, located where Meadowbrook Road branches off and becomes Babylon Turnpike.

The clang of the meeting bell is heard a few days after the Fourth of July, and people gather in the center of the community to hear the Declaration of Independence read for the first time.

This year, the annual re-creation of that reading of the Declaration of Independence has been scheduled by the Historical Society of the Merricks for 10 a.m. on Monday, July 4. It will take place in and around the gazebo on the north side of Merrick’s Long Island Rail Road station, at Veterans Memorial Plaza and Merrick Avenue. Each participant will have the chance to read one line from the Declaration.

Young and old may read, as they have for the past 20 years. The society is hoping for a large crowd on this patriotic day, so stop by and celebrate our freedoms in a meaningful way. Bring your family and neighbors and spend about 40 minutes with us, and then you will still have the bulk of the holiday to spend as you like.

For more information, call (516) 868-9833.

Lawrence Garfinkel

President,

Historical Society of the Merricks