By Lisa Coburn, Community Outreach Liaison, Greenbrier Historical Society
As part of America 250: A Celebration of Revolutionary Era Greenbrier Valley, the Greenbrier Historical Society invites the public to journey back to a pivotal moment in our nation’s history during a ceremonial reenactment of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in our area. The reading will take place in front of the Greenbrier County Courthouse in Lewisburg on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
Beginning at noon, this free public event will recreate the historic readings that took place at county courthouses throughout Virginia following the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Through music, ceremony, and historical interpretation, attendees will experience a tradition that helped carry the news of American independence to communities across the Commonwealth 250 years ago.
Historical records show that after the Declaration was adopted, Virginia officials ordered sheriffs throughout the state to proclaim it publicly at their county courthouses and other gathering spots so citizens could hear its words firsthand. The Greenbrier Historical Society’s program commemorates that historic moment through a ceremonial reenactment inspired by those original public readings.
“This event gives us the chance to stand where generations before us stood and imagine what it must have been like to hear the news of independence for the very first time,” said Al Emch, President of the Greenbrier Historical Society Board of Directors. “As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we are proud to share this experience with our community and highlight the Greenbrier Valley’s place in our nation’s story.”
The celebration will begin with arrival music by the Augusta Militia Field Music Fife and Drum Corps, followed by welcoming remarks from the Mayor of Lewisburg and the Greenbrier Historical Society. The Daniel Boone Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will present and post the colors, accompanied by a performance of the National Anthem by the Lewisburg quartet, The Banner Boys.
The centerpiece of the program will be a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by a musket salute presented by the Daniel Boone Chapter SAR Honor Guard. The ceremony will conclude with the retiring of the colors, additional music by the Augusta Militia Field Music Fife and Drum Corps, and a performance of “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” by the Greenbrier East/West Choir.
Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to continue the celebration by viewing the WV America 250 Mural Trail mural in the Greenbrier County Courthouse and visiting the North House Museum for the opening of The Greenbrier Valley and the Revolutionary Era exhibit. This new exhibit explores the Greenbrier Valley’s connections to the Revolutionary period and the local people whose lives were touched by the events that helped forge a new nation.
Refreshments at the exhibit opening will be provided courtesy of the Andrew Lewis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
All events are free and open to the public.
America 250: A Celebration of Revolutionary Era Greenbrier Valley is presented by the Greenbrier Historical Society with support from the WV America 250 Commission, Greenbrier County, Historic Lewisburg, West Virginia, and the WV Department of Tourism, with additional support from the Daywood and Hamilton Family Foundations.
For more information, contact the Greenbrier Historical Society at (304) 645-3398, visit us on Facebook (@greenbrierhistorical), instagram (@greenbrierhistoricalsociety), email info@greenbrierhistorical.org, or visit our website at greenbrierhistorical.org.
