Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library (BHML) has been awarded a grant from the Maine State Library to expand community learning opportunities surrounding the upcoming visit of Maine Historical Society’s Dunlap copy of the Declaration of Independence, on display for public viewing at Bigelow Laboratory on July 24 and July 25. 

The grant will support "Unearth a Story," a community-wide educational initiative that invites residents and visitors to look beyond the familiar narrative of America's founding and discover the lesser-known people, places, and events that shaped the nation's history.

At the heart of the project are two major programs:

The Grievance Walking Tour transforms the Boothbay region into an outdoor history exhibit. Large-format signs and posters featuring the 27 grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence will be displayed throughout the community at participating businesses and organizations. Each banner includes a QR code connecting visitors to additional resources encouraging participants to explore the Declaration while discovering the community.

The Library will also host a four-part speaker series examining overlooked stories of the Revolutionary era. Topics include Black history in 18th-century Lincoln County, New England's role in the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, the often-forgotten participants who shaped the American Revolution, and the Watertown Treaty—the first international treaty signed by the United States just weeks after the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

These programs are inspired by the 2026 youth Summer Library theme, "Unearth a Story," encouraging participants to dig deeper into the complex history surrounding the nation's founding.

"We're thrilled to receive this support from the Maine State Library" said Joanna Breen, executive director of Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. "The visit of the Declaration of Independence presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our community to engage with history in meaningful ways. Our goal is not only to celebrate this remarkable document, but to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and conversations about the many stories that surround it."

For more information, visit bbhlibrary.org/unearth-a-story.