Come celebrate the Declaration of Independence coming to Brunswick!
In collaboration with the Maine State Historical Society and Bowdoin College, Brunswick will be a stop on the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration tour.The Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration printed in Philadelphia will be on display at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art on Friday, October 30th and Saturday, October 31st.
The Curtis Memorial Library would like to celebrate this opportunity with speakers and their reflections on the Declaration of Independence. Below is the schedule of events that the library will be hosting with the help from the Maine Historical Society.
Monday, Oct 26, 2026 at 5:30: Reflections on the Declaration of Independence from the Wabanaki Alliance.
Join us to hear from Maulian Bryant, Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance. Maulian Bryant, was named Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance in Dec 2024. Bryan served as the first Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador from 2017-2024, having been appointed by Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis. As Ambassador, Bryant acted as a representative of the Penobscot Nation and liaison for the Nation at the local, state, and federal levels of goverment in order to educate and advocate for policy and laws that impact and protect the Penobscot Nation’s sovereignty, culture, natural resources, and the general welfare of the Penobscot people. Read more here.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 5:30pm: Reflections on the Declaration of Independence from Bob Greene
Join us to hear from Bob Greene, retired journalist, and advisor and contributor to Maine’s Visible Black History: The First Chronicle of Its People. A native of Portland, Maine, Bob Greene is at least the eighth generation of his family to be born in Cumberland County, Maine and can trace his genealogy to a wedding in New Gloucester in 1783. He currently teaches a “Black History of Maine” course at the University of Southern Maine. Read more here.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 5:30pm : Reflections on the Declaration of Independence from the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Join us to hear from Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director of the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition. Mufalo Chitam is a leader, advocate and community builder transforming Portland’s immigrant support network into a strong, inclusive resettlement system. Under her leadership, the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) now represents over 100 member organizations advocating for new Mainers. With 30 years of experience in advocacy and community organizing, Chitam has expanded critical initiatives, including multilingual “know your rights” materials, the Maine Immigrant Resource Hub & Hotline and enforcement impact tracking to help communities respond to emerging challenges. Read more here.
Thursday, October 29, 2026 from 3-5pm: Join Us for a Community Art Project & Potluck!
The ArtVan will be joining us to help create a Community Quilt of Art inspired by the Declaration of Independence tour and the country’s 250 celebration! The art piece will be inspired by the question “What Does the Declaration of Independence Mean to You?”
Using a 4″ x 4′ square, participants can create their own artwork reflecting what the Declaration of Independence means to them. Once completed, participants can add their “John Hancock” (signature) to their piece. We will bring all the individual squares together to create a community art quilt, which will be displayed at the library for everyone to enjoy.
And don’t forget the potluck! Please bring a favorite dish or something to share as we come together, create, eat and celebrate our community. We hope you’ll join us and add your voice- and your art- to this special community project. Read more here.
Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 5:30pm: Reflections on the Declaration of Independence from Dr. Janet Martin
Join us to hear from Dr. Janet Martin, professor of Government at Bowdoin College. Janet Martin’s research focuses on American politics, including the presidency and Congress. She has published groundbreaking work on the American presidency and women, and her book, The Presidency and Women: Promise, Performance, and Illusion won the 2004 Richard E. Neustadt Award. Her most recent book is The Gendered Executive: A Comparative Analysis of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Chief Executives. She is also the author or co-editor of Lessons from the Hill: The Legislative Journey of an Education Program, The Other Elites: Women, Politics, and Power in the Executive Branch, and the Instructor’s Manual for a Delicate Balance: An Essential Introduction to American Government. Learn more about Dr. Janet Martin here.
Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31st
Visit the Bowdoin College Museum of Art to see the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence- Sign up here for timed tickets (FREE).
Youth Activities
We are planning an afternoon open house on Tuesday, October 27 from 4-5:30pm for families to explore everyday life in colonial America in the years leading up to the American Revolution. We’ll have a few hands-on activities inspired by life during that period, including writing with a quill, decorating wooden tops, and more. Check out library calendar in October for more details.
