In 1775, more than 300 “rebels” gathered at the Montgomery County, NY home of Johannes Veeder to denounce British rule and raise a liberty pole — a public declaration of support for the Patriot cause. The Veeder family, which included Col. Volkert Veeder and state legislators Johannes Veeder and Simon Veeder, owned the land on which the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine and Historic Site now stands for much of the 18th and 19th centuries.
As the nation gears up to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, Montgomery County’s 250th Commission is hosting “250 Years of Freedom: Liberty Day & Pole Raising” on Saturday, May 17, from 10 am until 4 pm.
This family-friendly event will include a ceremonial liberty pole raising and reenactment at 1 pm, live music, 18th-century games, craft vendors, and tours of the museum and grounds. Curbside Catering and beverages from Eisenadler Brauhaus will also be on site.
While on the grounds, visitors can explore the National Register of Historic Places-listed Caughnawaga excavation site — the only fully excavated Iroquois/Haudenosaunee village in the world— as well as the Native American Museum.
The commission will also host the opening of historical fine artist Mark Maritato’s solo exhibition, featuring 16 original oil paintings from his Valley Forge series. The exhibition will run from May 17 through October 31 at the Caughnawaga-Veeder Museum, located at the Saint Kateri Shrine.
The Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine and Historic Site is located at 3636 Route 5, in Fonda, New York.
Illustration: Detail of John C. McRae engraving “Raising the Liberty Pole,”after F.A. Chapman.
Source link
