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Photos: Holding the truths self-evident

Concordians gathered at First Parish during “Declaring Independence Then and Now In Acton” on July 11.

After a discussion of the assembled, Concordians vote to accept the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 11, 2026, just as it was done 250 years ago in Acton. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
After a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and a weighing of its merits at First Parish last weekend, listeners voted to accept it, as it was done in Acton 250 years ago.

Concordians gathered at First Parish and, upon hearing it read aloud, voted to accept the Declaration of Independence during “Declaring Independence Then and Now In Acton” on July 11. Wright Tavern sponsored the event.

Photos: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge

Moderator Tom Wilson of the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust steps out of the First Parish in Acton before a reading of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Moderator Tom Wilson of the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust emerges from First Parish.
Moderator Tom Wilson of the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust speaks during “Declaring Independence Then and Now In Acton” on the steps of the First Parish in Acton on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Wilson speaks on the First Parish steps.
Rob Morrison of Acton, portraying Rev. William Emerson, pastor of the First Parish in Acton in 1776, gestures during his reading of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Rob Morrison of Acton, portraying Rev. William Emerson, pastor of First Parish in 1776, gestures during his reading of the Declaration.
Ravi Simon of Sudbury, candidate for Massachusetts legislature, delivers his portion of the Declaration of Independence as Tom Wilson, right, of the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust look on on the steps of the First Parish in Acton on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Five community members took turns reading sections of the historic document. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Massachusetts House candidate Ravi Simon of Sudbury delivers his portion of the Declaration of Independence as Tom Wilson listens.
Mara Dolan of the Governor’s Council delivers her portion of the Declaration of Independence during “Declaring Independence Then and Now In Acton” on the steps of the First Parish in Acton on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Five community members took turns reading sections of the historic document. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Mara Dolan of the Governor’s Council delivers her portion of the Declaration.
Onlookers in Colonial garb listen during a reading of the Declaration of Independence in Acton on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
​​Participants in Colonial garb listen during a reading of the Declaration in honor of its semiquincentennial.
Rob Morrison of Acton, right, Mara Dolan of the Governor’s Council, and Jennifer Hurley-Wales of Acton Indivisible applaud after Concordians voted to accept the Declaration of Independence during “Declaring Independence Then and Now In Acton” on the steps of the First Parish in Acton on Saturday, July 11, 2026. The event was sponsored by the Wright Tavern. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
From left, Jennifer Hurley-Wales of Acton Indivisible, Governor’s Councillor Mara Dolan, and Rob Morrison applaud the vote.
Moderator Tom Wilson of the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust, left, applauds bell ringers from the Trinity Episcopal Church at the conclusion of “Declaring Independence Then and Now In Acton” on the steps of the First Parish in Acton on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Wilson applauds Trinity Episcopal Church bell ringers at the close of the reading.

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