Middletown will dedicate a historic Liberty Tree on Sunday, May 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Paradise Valley Park, the first major event from the town’s 250 Commission marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The event will feature a keynote speech by R.I. Secretary of State Gregg Amore, along with a historic open house, historical re-enactments, windmill tours and activities for all ages, according to the town. Among those scheduled to speak are Town Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Middletown 250 Commission Chair George Krol, U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo, state Sen. Louis DiPalma, state Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Dr. Sonya Kreibich, consul general of Germany to the New England states.
Krol said the commission planted a red maple, Rhode Island’s official state tree, as the town’s Liberty Tree at the park. He noted that on May 4, 1776, two months before the Declaration of Independence, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a resolution renouncing allegiance to the king of Great Britain.
“The Liberty Tree symbolizes the liberty Middletowners strove for, fought for and sacrificed for 250 years ago,” Krol said. “On May 31 we will honor the memory of these brave ancestors and dedicate ourselves to observing and defending the ideals and freedoms they bequeathed to us.”
The town said Middletown was occupied by British and Hessian forces for two years during the Revolution, devastating its economy and population, before recovering after the war.
The dedication is one of several events the town has planned around the anniversary. A 250 birthday celebration is scheduled for July 1 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Second Beach, 315 Sachuest Point Road, and is to include games, music, food trucks and fireworks. The town said BankNewport donated $8,000 to pay for the fireworks display. A town-wide historical scavenger hunt is also underway through June 19.
More information is available at MiddletownRI.gov or the commission’s page at mdl.town/250-Commission.
