County historians to celebrate 250 years

BASTROP — A free public program June 28 will mark the approaching 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with readings and historical excerpts tracing the document’s influence across American history.

The Bastrop County Historical Commission will host the event at 4 p.m. at the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts, 1401 Cedar St. Commission members will read from the Declaration alongside passages from speeches, letters and writings by figures including Thomas Paine, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Ken Kesselus, co-chair of the program and a Historical Commission member, said the event focuses on the symbolism of the document and how its ideas have evolved over time rather than on the Revolutionary War itself.