SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch

Step into 1776 and discover the story behind one of the most important documents in American history – the Declaration of Independence! Join the Heritage Trail Association for this interactive, family-friendly program bringing the founding of the United States to life. Young historians will have fun acting out the signing of the Declaration in a role-playing skit - and don’t forget to take a copy of this historic document home with you! Made possible with funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the New Jersey Historical Commission.

This event will take place at Hillsborough Library, 379 S Branch Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844. Jefferson and Adams were two of our Founding Fathers. But, they were close friends for much of their lives. Learn their story in this performance from the American Historical Theater. Ages 12 and up are welcome. Bitter political rivals and close personal friends: Adams (Peyton Dixon) and Jefferson (Steve Edenbo) discuss, debate, and sometimes decry the revolutionary storms they weathered throughout a relationship spanning fifty years. They recall their bumpy collaboration on the Declaration of Independence in 1776, parting ways on its final content and even on the most appropriate date for commemorating American independence. They clash on Constitutional issues such as term limits, freedom of speech, Presidential powers, the Tenth Amendment, the First Amendment, as well as the virtues and vexations of a two-party system. By means of this dialogue between their differing visions for The United States, their contrasting views of human nature, and their political careers that inter weaved collaboration and opposition, our 2nd and 3rd Presidents find the common ground that inspired Benjamin Rush to dub them “rival friends”. This is a debate, but not one fueled by party animosity