By Sharron Luttrell

As the U.S. nears its 250th anniversary, Mendon is preparing a day of festivities focused on the town and its history.

On August 2 – the date the Declaration of Independence was signed – 56 residents will be invited to put their own names on a parchment replica. Each person will represent one of the original signers.

“In 1776 only men signed, but in this day and age it will be open to women, too. I don’t know how much the purists will love this, but it’s 2026,” Cultural Council Chair Joanne Lamothe said.

The signing, which will take place in front of town hall, will be the centerpiece of a day of events, including:

• A trolley tour of historic sites in town.
• An open house at town hall where the 1773 Mendon Resolves will be on display. The resolves are 19 resolutions that contain some of the language that ultimately made its way into the Declaration of Independence.
• An open house at the Unitarian Church.
• An historian at Ammidon Tavern who will share the 1745 building’s history.
• Mendon Historical Society tours.
• An evening band concert at the town park pavilion.

The Cultural Council will sponsor a patriotic-themed house-decorating contest in July, with the winner earning an invitation to sign the replica Declaration of Independence. Other signers will include key figures in town, including representatives of town boards and committees. The Cultural Council will open the other spots to any resident over 18 who’s interested, with a lottery to choose the final 56 if necessary.

To get your own John Hancock on the list, email your name and address to the Cultural Council at culturalcouncil@mendonma.gov.

Photo above: The town of Mendon’s copy of the Declaration of Independence (photo by Martin Luttrell)