250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

250 slidesJuly 4, 2026

The Vermont Judiciary is proud to provide this webpage as a resource for planning activities for the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. It includes information about an Ad Hoc Committee that the Vermont Supreme Court established for planning activities, templates for flyers and programs and information about celebrations planned for each county throughout the state. Please check the webpage regularly for updates!

VT Judiciary 250th Anniversary Declaration of Independence Committee (“VTJUD 250th Committee”)

The “VTJUD 250th Committee” is an ad hoc Judiciary Committee established to plan events associated with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Committee composition is:

Hon. Nancy Waples, Associate Justice – Co-Chair
Teri Corsones, State Court Administrator – Co-Chair
Hon. Timothy Tomasi, Superior Court Judge
Hon. Robert Mello, Superior Court Judge (retired)
Lisa Campion, Esq., Vermont Bar Association Representative
Karen Yao, Law Clerk

Attorney and Vermont historian Paul Gillies, Author and former Chief Justice Jeff Amestoy and Vermont State Curator David Schutz have generously agreed to serve as consultants to the Committee.

Events and Activities

250 flyerThe current status of ideas for events and activities includes:

  • Wednesday, July 1, 2026 has been selected as a date for tri-branch events involving the Vermont Supreme Court building, the Vermont State House and the Pavilion Building housing the Governor’s office
  • Historical documents associated with the anniversary will be exhibited in the Vermont Supreme Court Gallery during the period June 29 – July 10, 2026, including a Declaration of Independence traveling exhibit that the Library of Congress has developed and including the Vermont Constitution and other historic Vermont documents
  • A naturalization ceremony officiated by U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey Crawford will take place in the Vermont Supreme Court courtroom and is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1 at 11 am.
  • A reading of the Declaration of Independence by Vermont Supreme Court Justices in conjunction with historical context is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1 at 1:00 pm in the Vermont Supreme Court courtroom.
  • Justice Nancy Waples, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski will present a tri-branch panel program on a topic relevant to the occasion on Wednesday, July 1 at 3:00 pm in the State House.
  • A template has been developed for classroom presentations that volunteer lawyers and judges could use as a resource for presentations to interested school groups and/or civic groups throughout the state about the Declaration of Independence, including historical events that led to its creation. Download the template here: 
Presentation Slides - 250th Anniversary of Declaration of Independence
  • A video of the musical “1776” will be shown throughout the day on July 1, 2026 in the large conference room between the Pavilion Building and the Supreme Court building. In the event courts wish to include a showing of the musical as part of their offered events, a link to a video of the musical is available here.
  • Children’s games and activities associated with the 250th celebration are being planned by law clerks for the occasion. Examples of kids’ games and activities are listed here.
  • Moses Robinson’s role in Vermont history will be honored and acknowledged by  dedicating his portrait in the Bennington County Courthouse as part of the anniversary celebration; the Vermont Historical Society has provided a high resolution image of a portrait of Moses Robinson, which will be framed in a period frame for display in the courtroom. Retired Superior Court Judge Robert Mello, who authored the book “Moses Robinson and the Founding of Vermont”, will offer remarks.
  • Each judicial unit is encouraged to organize a 250th anniversary event at their county courthouse in collaboration with their respective county bar association and local historical society. Information about events being planned is available below.

The Committee will meet as needed between September 2025 and August 2026. It will report regularly to the Vermont Supreme Court during that time.

Event Dates

Dates and times for each judicial unit will be posted below as they are scheduled.

Windsor County Courthouse – May 18, 2026
Addison County Courthouse – July 1, 2026 – Art Contest details here
Montpelier – Tri Branch Celebration – July 1, 2026
Orleans County Courthouse – July 1, 2026
Rutland County Courthouse – July 2, 2026
Bennington County Courthouse – July 9, 2026

The U.S. Federal District Court is sponsoring a Student Art & Poetry Contest. Details are available here.