The past brought the present together as community members gathered in Scoville Park on July 8 to read the Declaration of Independence as a part of a nation-wide movement to simultaneously commemorate the first public reading of the Declaration 250 years ago.
More than a dozen local organizations came together for this event with representatives from each reading a portion of the document. From Girl Scouts to the Daughters of the American Revolution, generations connected to celebrate the history of the United States.
Some 70 people were gathered in the park near its entrance at Lake Street and Oak Park Avenue. The reading of the Declaration of Independence took about 15 minutes and was part of an hour-long ceremony.
“Civic education is vital and realizing that we all have a role to play as being part of a democracy and coming together as a community and supporting each other as we’re imparting that message to the next generation is important,” said Fran Knechel, board president of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.
Attendees sign a copy of the Declaration of Independence with a quill after the event in Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Members of the George Rogers Clark chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution pose for a photo at the reading of the Declaration of Independence event in Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
James Grogan, dressed as Uncle Sam, listens to the reading of the Declaration of Independence at Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Attendees watch the reading of the Declaration of Independence at Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Members of the Girl Scouts read a portion of the Declaration of Independence during at Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Beverly Tuck, co-president of the League of Women Voters in Oak Park and River Forest, hands out patriotic memorabilia at the reading of the Declaration of Independence event in Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Frank Lipo, left, checks out a book from Britini Schultz at the Oak Park Public Library book bike during the reading of the Declaration of Independence in Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
James Grogan, dressed as Uncle Sam, poses for a photo with the Girl Scouts at the nation-wide reading of the Declaration of Independence event in Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
Frank Lipo, executive director of The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, introduces the speakers for the nation-wide reading of the Declaration of Independence event in Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan 
All of the speakers who read a portion of the Declaration of Independence pose for a photo after the event in Scoville Park on July 8, 2026. Credit: Sydney Lovan
To place emphasis on education and involvement, the DAR George Rogers Clark chapter, League of Women Voters, and Collaboration for Early Childhood ran tables and gave out patriotic materials to attendees. Almost every hand was filled with their own copy of the Declaration to follow along with the reading.
“Our mission is to ensure democracy,” said Judith Crown, co-president of the League of Women Voters in Oak Park and River Forest. “We get to revisit the principles of which the country was founded, and we were so delighted to be included with a bunch of local civic organizations, units of government that practice democracy every day.”
The Oak Park Public Library book bike was also present with a curated selection of books for all ages to check out.
“Reading is fundamental. Knowing about our history is fundamental,” said Britini Schultz, book bike assistant. “We’re big believers in the American experiment, and to keep the experiment going strong, we need to see where we’ve been and think about where we’re going.”
The event was complete with a copy of the Declaration of Independence for attendees to sign with a quill and ink and even an appearance from Uncle Sam himself. James Grogan, a member of the board for the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, came in full costume and said “nothing is better” than seeing everyone join together.