By Dylan Henschen / The Nugget --------------- “That would have been something to be alive for,” says Jim Guy. The ‘something’ he refers to is hearing the first time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud in the streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July of 1776. It was this thought that inspired Guy to start a brand new 4th of July tradition on Dahlonega’s Public Square.
At 2:35 pm on July 4th, Guy will take to the second story of the Dahlonega Gold Museum, dressed in authentic, custom-made colonial garb. With a couple of passionate “Hear Ye’s,” he will call the surrounding spectators to action as they listen to a historical reenactment of the recital of the Declaration of Independence.
Guy’s idea to bring this piece of history to Dahlonega was inspired by a fascinating fact.
“Jefferson wrote the Declaration to be performed,” he said.
It was this anecdote that led to Guy taking charge of performing the historical text.
“Nobody was doing it, and I wanted people to see what it must've been like,” he says. “I wanted to know what it felt like.”
This curiosity sparked the addition to Dahlonega’s 4th of July festival, which he is now continuing for a second year.
Regarding last year's reading, “there were about 50-100 people,” Guy says. “It started with people that knew me, but as you'd imagine, people stopped and the number grew to about 100.”
As Guy overlooks Public Square South this year, he hopes that the square will fill up just like Christmas in the Square.
CLASS ACT
While this is only the second year of the event, Guy, who also works as an American Government teacher at Dawson County Junior High, is no stranger to dressing up in his colonial garb.
His history with historical reenactments dates back to a deal he made with students in his American Government class.
“The first year of teaching wasn't going so well and constitution week was coming up,” Guy recalled.
So he asked: “How can I get them excited about this?”
He ultimately settled on an agreement with his students.
“I said ‘If you pay attention Monday through Thursday . . . on Friday, I will dress up as George Washington,’” said Guy.
After a handshake and four days, Guy found himself in a pair of women’s white stockings and a George Washington Halloween costume, also allowing his students to hold their Constitutional Convention.
This event which led to his students learning about a critical part of American history is essentially what he hopes will come from his historical reenactment.
“[The Declaration] was supposed to spur you to want to do something,” he said. “The hope is that somebody walks away on one of these July 4ths and says that they want to learn more about their country, that’s my goal.”
TIMELESS LESSONS
In addition to his desire to inspire people to learn more about their country, Guy notes the importance of reviving the document and making sure people understand what it means, especially in the given social climate.
“The freedoms and liberties that are talked about in there, they are temporary. Many countries don't have them,” he said. “If the people in power don't care about that, then those freedoms can disappear.”
Guy noted that in the midst of the current divisive political climate it’s more important than ever for people to educate themselves about the foundation of the country.
“To me, this whole American Democratic Republic experiment is one big pay-it-forward experiment,” he said. “If I have done my part [future generations] should inherit a better country, but people have missed out on understanding that they have a responsibility to make sure that their kids and grandkids have the same freedoms as them.”
Guy added that he’s excited that he gets to play a role in reviving a patriotic spirit.
“I get to get some people fired up about living in a very special place,” he said
Guy’s performance will take place following the 4th of July Parade promptly at 2:35 p.m. All are welcome.