Over 1,000 local residents joined State Sen. John Liu to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at Francis Lewis High School Sunday afternoon with live music, food, historical reenactments and a community time capsule that will be preserved for the next 50 years.
The time capsule, which will be opened on the nation’s tricentennial on July 4, 1776, contains messages of hope for the future from local residents alongside mementos such as artwork, family photos, letters, newspaper clippings and other contemporary memorabilia, including New York Knicks championship relics.
The capsule will be on display at the Flushing branch of Queens Public Library for the next half-century.
Taking place at Francis Lewis High School, named after the Queens resident, Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Sunday’s community celebration featured a recital of the Declaration of Independence read by 13 local students representing the original 13 colonies. The event also featured a reading by the winning essayist from Liu’s America 250 student essay contest.
The program also featured performances from local musicians such as 2Complicated, the Queens Oratorio Society, New York Young Arts Foundation Chamber Ensemble, Sol Sharp Music Education, the Francis Lewis High School Band and the JROTC Color Guard.
Liu’s celebration also featured carnival games, a 4th of July BBQ and a photo opportunity with historical reenactors, with Liu describing the high turnout as “absolutely inspiring.” He also credited the local community for its contribution to the time capsule, which will go on display at Flushing Library in early July.
“We all have a role to play in making sure our country lives up to the vision of our Founding Fathers, and it was clear by the enthusiasm, patriotism and sense of community that every single one of us, young and old, is up to the task.” Liu said in a statement. “Whether contributing a family photo to our community time capsule or sharing a note for a child yet to be born, everyone who participated helped preserve a piece of our history and give the next generation hope for the future.”
Dennis Walcott, president and CEO of Queens Public Library, said QPL is honored to “safeguard messages of hope, reflection and aspiration” at Flushing Library for the next 50 years, as well as contributing its own relics to the capsule.
“We are honored to preserve this important historic record for future generations and to contribute our Freedom to Read library card and QPL trading cards featuring branches throughout Queens to the time capsule, reflecting the values of access to information, intellectual freedom, and the diversity of our communities,” Walcott said in a statement.
Queens Borough Historian Jason Antos, who delivered a historical account of the role of Francis Lewis in the signing of the Declaration of Independence, described Sunday’s celebration as a “historic event” to honor America’s 250th anniversary.
“It is extraordinary to know that a signer of the Declaration of Independence lived here in 1776 and that his family and property paid the ultimate price at the hands of the British army,” Antos said.