Granby has had town parades and celebrations since the dedication of the Civil War Monument in 1868. At that time, we celebrated the end of the Civil War while remembering those men who had died. For many years, those somber observances were known as Decoration Day. Today, we know it as Memorial Day.
In the July/August 2020 issue of The Granby Drummer, Historic Footnotes columnist Carol Laun described the July 4th parades of 1893, 1894, 1914 and 1915. Bells were rung at two in the morning, while cannons and rifles were fired throughout town. Those parades were lively and rowdy affairs. Our celebrations have become much quieter over the years.
In past years, such as the bicentennial celebration in 1976, Granby held a parade followed that evening by a costume ball at High Meadow. People dressed in colonial garb as they celebrated our nation’s 200th anniversary. In 2013, when Granby celebrated its 225th anniversary, the Salmon Brook Historical Society was open for tours, banners decorated the town’s lamp posts and, of course, there was a parade in which Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman John Larson participated. Later that evening, fireworks were launched from Salmon Brook Park.
This year, Granby’s July 4th celebration marking our nation’s 250th birthday will be quieter and simpler compared to those of more than a century ago. In many ways, however, the celebration has already begun, as Granby’s America 250 Committee has quietly and effectively laid the groundwork for this important milestone.
Beginning in January, the Salmon Brook Historical Society, in collaboration with Holly Johnson and the Granby Public Library, sponsored a series of lectures related to America’s founding era. Walter Woodward, UConn’s state historian, spoke about the art of John Trumbull. Tom Callinan presented and sang songs from the Revolutionary era. Other programs included discussions on women and their wardrobes in Revolutionary New England, Nathan Rumney’s presentation on Paul Revere’s ride, and the truths behind the famous tavern keeper’s tale, and Dennis Picard’s lecture, Dragoons, Musketeers, Prisoners, and the Hessians of the Revolutionary War.
The committee has also featured numerous articles in the Drummer over the past several months about the birth of our nation and its importance. The committee, chaired by Mark Neumann, has created signs reading, “This Home Was Here Before 1776.” Approximately 44 homes in Granby that existed in 1776 are still standing today. Drive through town and discover where these historic homes are located.
In addition, banners commemorating the 250th anniversary have been mounted on light poles throughout the center of town. Holly and Curt Johnson created these to help celebrate the Fourth of July. [Editor’s note: see article later on in this month’s issue.]
On July 3, there will be a band concert at the park followed later that evening with a bonfire. The next day, the parade will begin at the high school and proceed down Salmon Brook Street to the park, where activities will take place and residents will have an opportunity to gather and celebrate together. Of course, there will also be a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
On Sunday, July 26, the Salmon Brook Historical Society will host a Time Capsule ceremony at 4 p.m. Dave Roberts, vice president of the society, will be master of ceremonies. Materials representing present-day Granby will be placed into the capsule, which will remain sealed until 2076. At that time, the capsule will be unsealed during our nation’s 300th anniversary celebration. Perhaps in 2076, Granby will have another rowdy celebration.
To learn more about July 4th celebrations in Granby, past and present, become a member of the Salmon Brook Historical Society by calling 860-653-9713 or go online at salmonbrookhistoricalsociety.com