Revolution 250 completes reprint of 'Ezekiel Russell' Declaration, aims to distribute copies to every Massachusetts town

A presenter for Revolution 250 said the group has completed reprinting the official "Ezekiel Russell" Declaration of Independence as printed in Salem in July 1776 and intends to distribute copies to every town in Massachusetts.

The presenter framed the project as following a long-standing Massachusetts tradition. They said the original state practice in 1776 included asking ministers to read the text from pulpits and asking town clerks to enter the text in town records. "We are the only state in the United States that's trying to distribute the authentically printed reproduction, Franklin-style printing," the presenter said.

The reprint is described as an "authentically printed reproduction" in a Franklin printing style that matches the Salem printing of July 1776. The presenter emphasized statewide distribution but did not provide a schedule, numbers of copies, or a logistics plan; those details were not specified.

The announcement links the reprint to public-history and civic-commemoration aims rather than to any formal municipal action or policy. Revolution 250 did not announce funding sources, delivery dates, or a contact for towns seeking copies during the remarks. The presenter said the group planned distribution to every town in Massachusetts but offered no further procedural details.

The group did not outline next steps, and no formal vote, motion, or municipal action was recorded at the event.