On June 20, 1788, New Hampshire’s delegates met to debate ratifying the U.S. Constitution. After officially breaking for the day, the delegates met at the Walker House on North Main Street in Concord, where they continued their discussions over drinks.
They met again the next day, this time at the Old North Meeting House, to ratify one of America’s founding documents. With their signatures, New Hampshire became the ninth state to formally approve the Constitution, completing the two-thirds majority needed for it to go into effect.
This Saturday, 237 years later, the Concord Historical Society will host “Liberty and Legacy: Civic Saturday Social” from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The old-fashioned block party will celebrate New Hampshire’s democratic history in the lead up to America 250 and Concord 300.
The event will kick off at 1 p.m. in front of the Walker House at 276 North Main St. with a toast of sparking cider by Mayor Byron Champlin accompanied by a musket salute courtesy of the Bell’s Company NH 2nd Regiment reenactors. The toast and salute will be repeated at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Outside of the toasts, the Bell’s Company reenactors will be at the Pierce Manse open house for interviews. There will be a historical reenactment of the Declaration of Independence on Sparkey Stage at 2:10 p.m., and a 19th-century magic show at 2:45 p.m. at the Kimball Jenkins Carriage House.
Learn about Concord’s history at the Carriage House with Ward 3 City Councilor Jennifer Kretovic at 1:45 p.m. and 4 p.m., including stories from 1726 to 1776. You can also join Binnie Media at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. for a tour of the historic building where the Constitution was ratified. At 5 p.m., Bob Pollock will talk on the Kimball Jenkins Mansion lawn about some of the historic trees planted along North Main Street.
There will also be multiple exhibitions during the event. A replica of the original Concord Coach will be on show, accompanied by other historic vehicles. The Kimball Jenkins Mansion will have an open house to display the “History Woven Through Time” art exhibition, with 30-minute organ recitals at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
For craftspeople and artists, there will be plenty of activities to enjoy. The Nulhegan Band of Abenaki will present their national needlework project “America’s Tapestry,” and attendees can learn beading and embroidery techniques from those who worked on the tapestry. The Guild of NH Woodworkers will also be hosting a woodworking demo throughout the day.
The Concordia Church Lawn will hold many activities throughout the day, including leather stamping, pottery, face painting, sidewalk chalk and historic games. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Miles Smith Farm will host their Extreme Cow Experience, where you can interact with their Scottish Highland cows. A Parlor Quoits (Cornhole) Tournament will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with team and individual sign ups from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Individuals will be paired as needed, and teams of two will be matched before the tournament begins.
On the Sparkey Stage, the Avaloch Farm Music Institute will hold a performance at 1:15 p.m., and musician Mike Morris will take the stage at 2:30 p.m. for his FreeStyle Folk Music Concert.
Food will be offered throughout the day. Domino’s will be partnering with Made By Us in offering pizza and civic information, and Stacy’s Grill food truck will be right next to Sparkey Stage. New Hampshah’s Mini Donuts and Nice Ice Baby Sno Cones will be available, as well as popcorn, cookies and cotton candy.
Parking will be available at Bennie Media, the Boys and Girls Club, Milestone Construction and the Merrimack County Savings Bank. Handicap parking will be available at the end of Horseshoe Pond Lane.
North Main Street will be closed from Kimball Jenkins Estate to where Horseshoe Pond Lane begins.
