Merrick historical society hosts a reading

The Historical Society of the Merricks held its annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on the morning of July 4 last week.

Founded in 1975, the society is dedicated to preserving memories of Merrick’s past, along with supporting the community by enriching its present. Members educate children and adults alike through interactive programs that offer a deeper understanding of Merrick’s rich history.

The society has hosted the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence for more than 25 years. This year, the reading was held at the gazebo just north of the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station, and was led by the nonprofit group’s president, Larry Garfinkel.

“There is no doubt that as a nation and as a community, we lose part of our past on a continuous basis,” said Garfinkel, who is in his 12th year as the historical society’s president. “We in the historical society wanted to recreate the first days of our historic past, and what better way we thought than to celebrate the first days as a new country.”

In the days after the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was written in 1776, people across the 13 colonies gathered in town squares to hear the document read for the first time.

This year, more than 50 adults and children came to Merrick’s reading of the Declaration. Line by line, each attendee took a turn reading. First-time readers Samantha Trabold, 12, and Allison Trabold, 11, of Merrick, came to show their support for the American military personnel who fought and are still fighting to maintain the nation’s freedoms.

“Freedom is what makes our country so great, that’s why we came here today,” said Samantha.

Historical society board member Cecilia Brauer said she believes every person should take time to appreciate the Declaration of Independence and what it stands for. “This is the day we were born,” said Brauer. “It’s the most important day of our lives, the day the Declaration was signed and we became an independent nation.”

The reading was followed by a free bus tour of historical sites in Merrick and North Merrick, led by the knowledgeable and affable Judge Jerry Medowar.