Benjamin Franklin told a roomful of Hinsdaleans that Americans have been celebrating Independence Day two days late.

The founding father, portrayed by veteran Chicago-area actor Terry Lynch, spent 75 minutes at the Hinsdale Public Library on Tuesday, June 17, ribbing audience members, cracking jokes, and walking through the little-known stories behind the nation's founding documents. The program, "Designing a New Nation," was the first in a three-part America 250 series the library organized for this summer.

Lynch, who has performed historical portrayals across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin for more than 25 years, stayed in character throughout. He told attendees that the Declaration of Independence was actually agreed upon on July 2, 1776, not July 4, and that John Adams insisted on celebrating the earlier date even as president.

"John is a bit of a fussbudget," Lynch said, drawing laughs. "He always celebrated the 2nd, even when he was president of the United States."

The presentation covered Franklin's role as the only person to sign all five founding documents, his edit changing Jefferson's "sacred" to "self-evident" in the Declaration, and his views on religion, slavery, and compromise. Lynch noted that roughly 75 percent of the colonial population was illiterate, which made Jefferson's lyrical, read-aloud style essential.

He closed with a nod to Alexander Hamilton's legendary long-windedness: "Thank you all for listening to me. I spoke almost as much as Hamilton."

John Kokoris, the library's marketing and outreach manager, organized the series. "Where else can you meet Benjamin Franklin?" Kokoris said in an interview with The Hinsdalean.

Two programs remain. Historian Joyce Haworth presents "The Declaration of Independence Through the Centuries" on Tuesday, July 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. Kokoris himself will discuss Revolutionary War sites in Illinois on Tuesday, July 28, at 7 p.m. Both are at the library, 20 E. Maple St. Space is limited; registration is available at hinsdalelibrary.info.

The library is also assembling 250 Uncle Sams to lead the village's Fourth of July parade on Saturday, July 4, followed by a groundbreaking in Burlington Park for a new pavilion that Village President Greg Hart called "a lasting monument to America 250," according to The Hinsdalean.

Hinsdale week ahead

• Saturday, July 4 — Hinsdale Fourth of July parade, led by 250 Uncle Sams organized by the Hinsdale Public Library. Burlington Park pavilion groundbreaking to follow.
• Tuesday, July 14, 7–8 p.m. — "The Declaration of Independence Through the Centuries" with historian Joyce Haworth. Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St. Registration required. Free.
• Tuesday, July 28, 7–8 p.m. — "Revolutionary Illinois: How Our State Shaped Our Nation" with John Kokoris. Hinsdale Public Library. Registration required.