The Town of Newmarket has designated the USA250/NEWMARKET300 Group to encourage, approve, promote and plan events from organizations and businesses in Newmarket that celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, and the 300th Anniversary of Newmarket in 2027. The committee intends to honor our past, celebrate the present, and look to our future. Our theme for 2027 is “300 Years At the River’s Edge”.
“The mission of our committee is to encourage local organizations, institutions, and businesses to create vibrant and inclusive anniversary celebrations that celebrates events that honor Newmarket and the United States rich heritage, acknowledging the contributions of individuals and events, welcome and educate newer families, and together share our town and country’s history. The Committee’s hope is to foster a stronger sense of community and connection for generations to come.”
The Path to Separation: How New-Market Became Its Own Parrish
Locals in the Lamprey River and Newfields settlements grew tired of traveling to Exeter for mandatory church services. They also disliked paying church taxes to a minister located far from their homes. Before petitioning, residents often resorted to calling upon the closer pastor at Oyster River (now Durham) for urgent ministerial services. An organized group of thirty local families submitted their formal request to the provincial government, asking to establish a new parish named New-Market. Because the provincial government agreed that the distance was a burden, the petition moved rapidly through the Governor John Wentworth’s Council and was granted December of that same year and voted on and ratified on December 15, 1727.
Leading Organizers and Families
Our Committee is working to create a full calendar of events that will celebrate the 300th anniversary of Newmarket. Check our calendar for events both this year and next, as we create exciting ways to commemorate our town’s history. Want to be involved? Become a volunteer or join our committee and help us tell the story of New-Market.
The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence occurred primarily on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress represented the Thirteen Colonies, 12 of the colonies voted to approve the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The New York delegation abstained because they had not yet received instructions from Albany to vote for independence. The Declaration proclaimed the Thirteen Colonies were now “free and independent States”, no longer colonies of the Kingdom of Great Britain and, thus, no longer a part of the British Empire. The signers’ names are grouped by state, with the exception of John Hancock, as President of the Continental Congress; the states are arranged geographically from south to north, with Button Gwinnett from Georgia first, and Matthew Thornton from New Hampshire last.
The final draft of the Declaration was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, although the date of its signing has long been disputed. Most historians have concluded that it was signed on August 2, 1776, nearly a month after its adoption, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed. On that steamy July day in Philadelphia, Josiah Bartlett from Kingston, Matthew Thornton from Londonderry and William Whipple from Portsmouth signed as New Hampshire delegates to the Continental Congress.
Newmarket celebrated the 250th anniversary with a special event on Flag Day, June 14, 2026. The Arts, Culture, & Tourism Commission and Newmarket 250 are threw a party! Thanks for joining us to unveil Newmarket’s newest art installation and raise our voices in song. During the first half of the year, over 300 of our friends and neighbors met at events around town to paint small tiles that were joined together to create a one-of-a-kind mural on Main Street. This beautiful mural celebrates both our town and America, as it marks its 250th birthday.
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
We’re a passionate team of Newmarket residents committed to bringing our town’s history to life! As a 501(c)(3) organization, we’re here to inspire and support community-driven events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 and Newmarket’s 300th anniversary in 2027.
The Corporation/Organization is established within the meaning of IRS Publication 557 Section 501(c) 3 orginization of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code and shall be operated exclusivley for the purpose of encouraging Newmarket residents, organizations, and instituations in planning, authorizing, and promoting official events celebrating the 2026 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and in 2027 a year-long 300th anniversary of Newmarket being established as a separate parish by act of the Provincial Governor’s Council on December 15th, 1727 and signed by Gov. John Wentworth. The committee will assist in providing ideas for, authorizing, and promoting events but will not be responsible to plan and execute every event.
In addition, this Corporation/Orginization has been formed for the purpose of performing all things incidental to, or appropriate in, the foregoing specific and primary purposes. However, the Corporation/Organization shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activity or exercise of any powers which are not in furtherance of its primary non-profit purposes.
