Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Freeport Memorial Library and Freeport Historical Society in collaboration with Village officials and other local organizations have been spearheading the celebration efforts of the U.S’ 250th anniversary. The events, which reflect on various eras of American and Long Island history through various forms of social gatherings and art, have been ongoing since Jan. 11 with more scheduled through the Fourth of July.
Lee Ann Moltzen, the director of the Freeport Memorial Library, and Regina Feeney, Village historian and the library’s archivist, have been at the forefront of helping Freeport adequately recognize and celebrate the historic milestone of both the nation and the local area. In preparation for the local celebrations, Feeney shared that a lot of effort has gone in from many contributors with more to be done.
“Because it’s a national event, the best way to do it is on a local level,” said Feeney. “So we really took a lot looking back at what was done for the bicentennial in 1976. …We reached out to all the different organizations within Freeport; The library, the Historical Society, the Chamber of Commerce, the schools, the Arts Council, the American Legion, the local NAACP, everybody we could think of, and just say, ‘Let’s talk about what we can do, and try to get the whole community excited about it and get involved.’”
One of the highlighted anniversary events are the performances of The Crown vs. Colonies, a play about local patriots during the American Revolution, and will be produced by Sparkle On Stage in May. The play was also a featured event in Freeport for the 200th anniversary in 1976, according to Feeney.
Another intriguing event will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence at Village Hall on July 8. Feeney also shared that the Freeport Village Hall is a near-exact replica of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Despite not being named formally named and incorporated until the late nineteenth century, Freeport’s connection to the founding of the U.S. is deepened by its connection to Benjamin Raynor and Adam Smith, who resided in what would be Freeport and worked to secure American independence. The Village has since honored them with the title of “Freeport’s Patriots” with signs briefly noting their contributions at the library and Village Hall.
To Moltzen, these events are not only relevant to children or historians, but for all community members. “You learned about it [American history] in school, but you always look at things differently as an adult.”
Both Moltzen and Feeney mentioned that there are a lot of lessons to take from the country’s founding that can be applied during uncertain times in modern America.
“I don’t think people realized how tough it was for people here,” Feeney said talking about the early Long Island colonists. “I think that the things that people have to remember is that we got through hard times.”
Feeney added that contentions between independence-seeking patriots and colonists loyal to British rule, were common during early colonial rule but eventually were overcome. Similarly, the tensions and disagreements that currently exist in the country, she believes, can be overcome.
Moltzen and Feeney also shared that there are more events that have not been finalized as of yet, and ample space on the calendar to add new events and ideas if anyone else wants to contribute. Anyone interested can contact either Moltzen or Feeney through the Freeport Memorial Library to give suggestions or be a part of the planning efforts.
All 250th Anniversary events can be found through the community calendar on the Freeport Historical Society and Museum’s website at freeportnyhistory.org/events.
