Friends,

This weekend many families will celebrate Independence Day, which is celebrated every July 4th to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Written by a committee led by Thomas Jefferson, the document was signed by people from all 13 colonies. 

The Declaration of Independence, now housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., is recognized around the world as an important message of self-governance and human rights. The second sentence says it all: that all people are created equally and have rights that include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

One of the earliest businesses in this crossroads village (now known as Rockville) was Owen's Ordinary,* an inn and tavern, established in this area around 1750. The village functioned as the government center of lower Frederick County, and in 1776 became the seat of the newly established Montgomery County. In 1784, William P. Williams subdivided 45 acres of his land into building lots and named it "Williamsburgh." Fifteen years later, structures had been built on 38 lots. The Williamsburgh plat had legal problems and, in November 1801, the Maryland General Assembly directed the lots be resurveyed and a town erected "to be called Rockville." The town plan was recorded in 1803.

This boundary stone, with the letters "B.R." incised, marks the "Beginning of Rockville" shown in the lower right of the plan at the southeast corner of Block I, lot 1. The plan has a grid pattern of six streets, 19 blocks, and a total of 85 lots. The courthouse lot fits into the notch on the right border in Block VIII.

For many years, the boundary stone was neglected, half-buried in the weeds of an undeveloped lot. It resurfaced when the modern Rockville Library was built in 1971, and was placed near its original location. It has since been relocated to the Rockville City Hall property, where it serves as a reminder of the modest beginnings of Rockville.

*There is now a restaurant named Owen's Ordinary located at Pike & Rose.

Resource: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=174694

Derwood Farmers Market 

Saturday, July 2, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Address: 16501 Redland Road, Rockville

Come to the Farmers Market and connect with all of your favorite farmers, plus enjoy brunch, lunch, coffee, art, and music! 

SummerFest 

Saturday, July 2, from 6:00 to 11:30 pm

Bohrer Park: 506 South Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg

Celebrate America’s independence with friends and family at SummerFest, Gaithersburg’s illuminating summer festival. The festival features live music, food trucks, local breweries, family-friendly activities, all leading up to a spectacular fireworks display & SummerGlo After Party. Admission is free.

Independence Day 

Monday, July 4, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm

Mattie J. T. Stepanek Park: 1800 Piccard Dr, Rockville

This location offers wonderful spectator viewing, and ample and convenient parking, for the 4th of July festivities. Enjoy live music by Vertigo Red and a 20-minute fireworks display. Admission is free.

VisArts Exhibihion- Fame & Frequency VIII 

Thursday, July 7, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm

VisArts: 155 Gibbs St., Ste 300, Rockville

Frame & Frequency VIII presents a survey of 18 national and international new media, film, and video artists ruminating and grappling with an ever-changing world that is daunting and overwhelming, but also energizing due to a renewed urgency to issues that affect us all. Admission is free.