Come Celebrate the Fourth of July at Methuen's Oldest Cemetery
Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence
As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War, Methuen will celebrate the birth of our nation with the annual community reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025, starting at 10 a.m., at historic Meeting House Hill Burial Ground, final resting place of many of Methuen’s founders and Revolutionary War Minutemen and soldiers. The burial ground, located opposite Holy Family Hospital, will be open for tours and viewing. Tours of the burial ground will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This year, we are delighted to have the Middlesex County 4-H Fife & Drum Corps join the festivities. They will be playing patriotic music from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This group of talented young people regularly performs at many patriotic events throughout Massachusetts.
Take a ride through history!
Car Show
Featuring antique, classic, and modern cars from the early 1900s to today!
Saturday, July 26 | 10am - 2pm
City Hall and the Methuen
Museum of History
Enjoy an afternoon of cars, food, ice cream, raffles, and more! Admission is free.
Proceeds to benefit the Methuen Museum of History
Welcome and Bienvenus
Lafayette Day Commemoration
Saturday, June 21 | 12pm at Bicentennial Park
Bicentennial Park is adjacent to Nevins Memorial Library
Saturday, June 21, will mark the 200th anniversary of the visit to Methuen by the distinguished Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette’s visit to Methuen in 1825 was a sensational event for such a small town as Methuen was 200 years ago.
To commemorate this event, Historic Methuen is hosting a celebration at Bicentennial Park, adjacent to Nevins Memorial Library, starting at noon. An excerpt from New England Magazine’s September 1900 issue will be read. The article, titled Methuen, Massachusetts, was written by First Church Congregational minister, Reverend Charles H. Oliphant. The excerpt, which describes the visit of Lafayette to Methuen, was acquired by Reverend Oliphant from the collection of Boston mayor, Josiah Quincy.
The American Friends of Lafayette in Boston will be sending a French representative of Lafayette. He will be arriving by horse and carriage as the Marquis did in 1825.
We hope you’ll be able to join in the celebration!
Contact us at info@historicmethuen.org if you have any questions.
The event is free to the public.
