Suffolk kicks off yearlong celebration of America's 250th birthday
Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine (right) poses with Michael Grillo, portraying George Washington, Darren St. George, portraying Thomas Jefferson and Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. following a ceremony on Wednesday to mark the official kickoff of Suffolk County’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
As "George Washington" finished his remarks to more than 200 people gathered at Sagtikos Manor, the nation's first president reminded the guests to "remember the importance of this anniversary."
Washington, portrayed by Michael Grillo at Suffolk County's kick-off event Wednesday to celebrate next year's 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, said to "never forget the struggles that we had early on."
The event in West Bay Shore at the historic site where Washington slept in 1790 as he toured Long Island formally began a yearlong series of events organized by the Suffolk County 250th Commemorative Planning Committee.
Kristin MacKay, assistant deputy county executive and committee coordinator, said about 200 people began meeting in February as committee members representing historical societies and organizations across the county.
MacKay said the committee began a passport book initiative that will showcase all the events scheduled by historical societies and museums throughout Suffolk. More information is available at suffolk250.org.
Independence Day in 2026 officially marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Suffolk County has a deep history related to the Revolutionary War, such as the minutemen of Suffolk County and the Huntington Militia who fought in the Battle of Long Island in August 1776.
From the rear porch of the Sagtikos Manor in West Bay Shore, Michael Grillo, portraying George Washington, reads a speech of Washington’s to the crowd that gathered for the ceremony on Wednesday. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
The kick-off event featured Darren St. George of the Southold Historical Museum portraying Thomas Jefferson as he read from the Declaration of Independence as well as appearances from reenactment militia groups in uniform.
County Executive Edward P. Romaine described it as an "extremely meaningful" event to begin the celebration and to remember the struggles on Long Island "where we had a cruel, long occupation."
Brenda Simmons, a committee member and executive director of the Southampton African American Museum, said it's important during the celebration to reflect and remember the challenges minorities faced during the country's founding.
Committee member Georgette Grier-Key, executive director of the Eastville Community Historical Society in Sag Harbor, said it's a "reflective time" and a "learning moment."
"I think the collective spirit of Americans is so important for us to remember that it is 'we the people,'" she said.
Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
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