The Catskill Chronicle

NARROWSBURG, NY (June 19, 2012) – Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History has announced an expansion of its regular weekend schedule to allow participation in Narrowsburg’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

At noon on Wednesday, July 4, General George Washington, as portrayed by BAR reenactor Paul Brennan, will offer a dramatic reading of the "Declaration of Independence" to the costumed interpreters of the the Cushetunk settlers, the first Europeans in Western Sullivan County. 

At 12:30 p.m., Sullivan County Historian John Conway will speak on "The Declaration of Independence and the Upper Delaware River Valley." 

"When the Declaration of Independence was read to the public in the summer of 1776, it was not universally cheered," says Conway. "Some historians estimate that as many as one-third of the colonial settlers maintained their loyalty to Britain, and that was certainly the case here, where Cushetunk resident Robert Land would become one of the most noted Tories of the Revolution."

Conway will examine the impact of the Declaration of Independence on the Cushetunk settlement and how it affected the region for years to come.

At 2:00 p.m. some of the Fort’s interpreters will leave their living history demonstrations of candle making, blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, musketry and gardening to line up for the community’s traditional parade that steps off at 3:00 p.m.

Holiday hours at Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the last tour leaving at 4:00 p.m.

As always, colonial reenactors (in costume) are heartily invited, and admitted free.

For further information, call 845-252- 6660.