08/11/2026
Have you reserved your time to view one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence at the Belfast Free Library yet? There are a few times available for Saturday afternoon, August 15th. Sign up ASAP so you do not miss it!
https://mainehistory.rezgo.com/details/424962/declaration-of-independence-tour-belfast-free-library
Some moments stay with you, and last evening was one of them.
I had the privilege of joining Knox County Sheriff Pat Polky for a private preview of one of our nation's—and Maine's—greatest historical treasures: the Maine Historical Society's original Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence, now on display at the Camden Public Library.
Printed on the night of July 4, 1776, the Dunlap Broadside was the first printed edition of the Declaration of Independence, carrying the words that forever changed the course of history across the newly formed United States. With only a small number of these original broadsides known to exist today, it is an extraordinarily rare document. What makes this copy even more special is its connection to our own state. It was once owned by Dr. John Samuel Hill Fogg of Eliot, Maine, who bequeathed it to the Maine Historical Society in 1893 as part of an extraordinary collection of historical papers and autographs. It is not only one of America's greatest treasures—it is one of Maine's as well.
Standing before this remarkable piece of history, I couldn't help but think about the generations of Americans who have looked to those words for hope, courage, and inspiration. As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, the Declaration reminds us that it is much more than ink on paper. It represents an idea—that despite our differences, we are united by our shared belief in freedom, equality, and the responsibility we all have to build stronger communities. Those ideals have endured for nearly 250 years because they continue to bring people together.
That same spirit of unity is something we strive for every day in law enforcement. Keeping our communities safe is not the responsibility of one officer or one agency. It takes trust, communication, and partnerships. I am proud that the Camden Police Department works closely with the Knox County Sheriff's Office and our local, county, and state law enforcement partners. Together, we share a common mission: serving our communities with integrity and working side by side to make Camden and Knox County safer places to live, work, and visit.
I want to thank the Camden Public Library and the Maine Historical Society for making it possible for our community to experience this extraordinary piece of American and Maine history. I also want to thank Sheriff Pat Polky for sharing this memorable evening and for the outstanding partnership between our agencies.
If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to visit the Camden Public Library and see the Dunlap Broadside for yourself. It's more than a chance to view a rare historical document—it's an opportunity to reflect on the principles that founded our nation, the history that connects us as Mainers and Americans, and the values that continue to unite us today.
I hope you'll take the time to experience it. I know it's something I'll never forget. Check the links below for tour dates and free tickets.
Chief Weaver
https://www.librarycamden.org/event/doi/
https://www.mainehistory.org/revolutionary-maine/declaration-of-independence-tour-schedule/
