Experience America’s 250th Anniversary in Wauwatosa: Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Join the Wauwatosa Historical Society as we take part in a nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary through a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 2026 — exactly 250 years after the Declaration was first read aloud to the public in 1776.

This event is part of “Sharing the Spirit of America,” a national initiative created by the Hawai‘i America250 Committee to recreate the historic moment when communities gathered to hear the words that would shape a new nation.

The reading of the Declaration of Independence in it’s entirety will take place on the steps of the Little Red Store, Wauwatosa’s oldest commercial building and one of the community’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Mayor Dennis McBride will deliver the reading of the Declaration of Independence, bringing the words that shaped a nation to the heart of Wauwatosa’s historic Village.

Guests are invited to gather beginning at 4:30 p.m., with the public reading starting promptly at 5:00 p.m. Experience the Declaration as it was originally intended: spoken publicly and shared collectively. Through community participation and reflection, this program offers an opportunity to connect with the ideals, challenges, and enduring significance of the nation’s founding.

As America approaches its semiquincentennial, the Wauwatosa Historical Society is proud to join organizations across the country in bringing history to life and encouraging conversation about the American experience — past, present, and future.

All are welcome to attend this free community event.

The Little Red Store is located at 7720 Harwood Ave.