To celebrate America 250! Winnebago and Boone Counties’ Genealogical Society (WBCGS), Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, and the Natural Land Institute (NLI), invite the community to step back in time. Experience history as it was meant to be shared, during a live reading of the Declaration of Independence. The event will occur on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, 411 Kent Street, Rockford, IL 61102. The program begins at 6:00 p.m.
Held outdoors beneath the site’s historic White Oak Legacy tree, this special event will recreate the spirit of 1776. The Declaration of Independence was read aloud under a “Liberty Tree” in public spaces, to inform and inspire colonists.
The program includes
∗ a welcome and opening remarks
∗ historical context provided by WBCGS
∗ a full reading of the Declaration by State Representative Maurice West
∗ reading of the names of the 56 signers.
Each signer took an incredible risk, by putting their signature on this significant and historical document.
Attendees will also learn about the history of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and the significance of the White Oak Legacy tree, including newly determined information about its age.
“This event is about bringing history to life in a simple but powerful way,” said Paula Olson, member of Winnebago and Boone Counties Genealogical Society. “Hearing the Declaration read aloud, in a setting like this, connects us to the past, in a very real and memorable way.”
The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.
Free copies of the Declaration of Independence are available while supplies last.
The White Oak Legacy tree was recognized in 2025 as the November Tree of the Month, through NLI’s Legacy Tree Program. The story can be found here: a href=”https://www.naturalland.org/white-oak-at-tinker-swiss-cottage-is-november-tree” target=”_blank”>.