New London — On Sunday, some residents got an early jump on getting into the Fourth of July spirit.

About 20 people braved the muggy heat Sunday afternoon for a community reading of the Declaration of Independence at the historic Hempsted Houses.

Iconic words from America's founding document rang throughout the old house as eight community members — ranging from kids to seniors — read the document at the event. The reading also was followed by an ensuing discussion about the document, as well as a rendition of William Billings' song "Chester," often cited as the anthem of the Revolutionary War, which Joan Miller performed.

"The house was here during the Revolution, so we thought it'd be kind of neat, and you know there's not a lot of places you can go to hear it read aloud," Hempsted Houses program manager Aileen Novick said of the desire to host a Declaration of Independence reading.

Despite the heat and Sunday marking only the second time Hempsted Houses has hosted a community reading of the Declaration, a full house turned out for the event. 

More importantly though, the reading sparked plenty of conversation among guests who reflected on the meaning of the document and how its applies to modern times.

Starting a conversation and hearing residents' thoughts on the Declaration also was a driving factor in why Hempsted Houses wanted to put on the event.

"You always hear them called living documents and it is interesting to hear why people wanted to come and hear it and what it means to them," Novick said. "It is supposed to be sort of the essential American document and... I don't think we as a country really talk about it."

"We talk about patriotism, but not really what these things still mean," she added.

For the readers, the Declaration also resonated deeply.

Mother and daughter Sara Florek and Ada Mae Florek, 10, two readers who also live in a historic house on Hempstead Street, praised how the reading brought people in the community together as well as brought history to life.

For audience members, the document certainly resonated. Several commented on some of the parallels the document still has today, as well as some of the areas it could use an update.

Several residents pointed out the strange hypocrisy of the founding fathers as they discussed equality, something that only applied at the time to white men. But on Sunday, the document was read by a diverse group of people of various races, ages and genders.

Audience member Kevin Booker Jr. of New London connected the Declaration to Frederick Douglass' "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" speech, adding that hearing the Declaration again also was a reminder of the continued struggles with equality today.

"It's something that shows we still have a long way to go and when you look at human beings ... we still haven't reflected on a lot of our own implicit biases," Booker said. "You have to reflect, as an individual, are you truly going to live out this creed that was created and was it just a document or do you live it on a daily basis within yourself ... and live out what a true democracy is."

c.clark@theday.com