Norwich — A wreath-laying ceremony and flagpole dedication will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 17, at the Norwichtown Cemetery tomb of Gov. Samuel Huntington, a president of the Continental Congress.

The event will celebrate the 290th anniversary of Huntington’s birth on July 16, 1731, and follows the tradition of laying a wreath at the tombs of former U.S. presidents on their birthdays. Many Norwich history advocates consider Huntington to be the first president of “the United States in Congress Assembled,” because of his role as president of Congress in 1781, when the new government went into effect under the Articles of Confederation.

Huntington was born in Scotland, was a self-taught lawyer and served in the Second Continental Congress. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, president of the Continental Congress, and later served 10 years as governor of Connecticut.

His mansion, on East Town Street abutting the cemetery, now is the headquarters of United Community and Family Services.

Speakers for the July 17 dedication event will include Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom; Connecticut State Historian Walt Woodward, William Stanley of the Forgotten Founders; state. Sen. Cathy Osten and retired State Archaeologist Nick Bellantoni, who had conducted the exhumation of Huntington and his wife, Martha, during the 2003 restoration of the tomb.

Veterans’ council member and former Connecticut State Troubadour Tom Callinan will perform the national anthem, "Yankee Doodle" and an original song, "Samuel Huntington.”

Damien Cregeau, past president of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, a Norwichtown resident and member of the Huntington family, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The rain date is Sunday, July 18. For more information, contact NAVC President Brian Hague at (860) 237-7323 or brian.hague7798@gmail.com, or Regan Miner, Norwich Historical Society executive director, at (860) 886-1776 or minerregan@gmail.com.

Parking for spectators will be available at the UCFS headquarters, 35 E. Town St. and along the streets around the Norwichtown Green. Signs will direct people to the cemetery and tomb location.