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| Fireworks over the National Mall. Image courtesy nps.gov |
Happy
Birthday America!!!
Today,
our great country turns 238 years old! And what better way to celebrate than to
explore a "revolutionary" national park! :)
Sites
all over the National Park System will celebrate our nation's birthday with fun
and educational activities. From historic weapons demonstrations and ranger-led
programs to spectacular and breathtaking fireworks displays, there are a ton of
ways you can spend Fourth of July in our national parks.
With a
little help from our friends over at the National Park Foundation, I've
compiled a list of national parks that will help you get that Fourth of
July/Independence Day spirit!
And
trust me: you really get into the spirit! I spent one Fourth of July several
years ago in Philadelphia and Independence National Park . . . it was amazing! Great historical programs,
museums, exhibits and sites, awesome concerts (that year a la John Williams and
Elton John) and the breathtaking night-time fireworks spectacular. . . Spending a Fourth at a national park site closely
related to our nation’s independence is a memorable experience that everyone
should do at least once. So go ahead,
get out there and be a part of history; there’s only so much you can experience
in front of the TV. :)
Now, if
only I was in the New England area. . . . *sigh* Guess I’ll have to settle for TV
watching again this year. . . But in the meantime. . .
Explore on, Junior Rangers! :)
What will you do for the Fourth of July? Share with us in the comments below! :)
What will you do for the Fourth of July? Share with us in the comments below! :)
10 Great National Parks
to Visit on the 4th of July
(Alphabetized
List)
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| Various sights at Colonial National Historical Park. Banner courtesy nps.gov |
1. Colonial
National Historical Park (Virginia) - This site comprises
Historic Jamestown (the first permanent English settlement in North America)
and Yorktown Battlefield (the site of the last major battle of the
Revolutionary War in 1781).
Major
Points of Interest: Jamestown - Join Jamestown's famous 17th century residents
portrayed by interpreters as they conduct living history tours at various
points throughout the site. Yorktown Battlefield - Moore House and Surrender
Field, both key places of the British surrender.
Junior Ranger Program? Yes, Jamestown and Yorktown. Booklets can be purchased at their respective bookstores.
No
Independence Day Events Scheduled.
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| Fort McHenry. Image courtesy nps.gov |
2. Fort
McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (Maryland) -
Visit this star-shaped Fort which was valiantly defended during the Battle of
Baltimore in 1814 and the birthplace of our national anthem, "The Star
Spangled Banner," written by Francis Scott Key.
Major
Point of Interest: Fort McHenry. Tour the fort, barracks and related
structures.
Junior Ranger Program? Yes.
Independence Day Events:
FORT! FLAG! FIRE! Baltimore's Star-Spangled Summer! (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) - Living History Programs with flag talks, weapons demonstrations, fife and drum concerts and more!
FORT! FLAG! FIRE! Baltimore's Star-Spangled Summer! (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) - Living History Programs with flag talks, weapons demonstrations, fife and drum concerts and more!
The
Glorious Fourth. . .An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July! (12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.) -
Enjoy fife and drum music, cannon firings, musket salute for 18 states, period
dancing and games, and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
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| Independence Hall. Image courtesy nps.gov |
3. Independence National Historical Park (Pennsylvania) - Spanning over 55 acres on 20 city blocks in the city of Philadelphia's historic district, this NPS site, known as the "birthplace of America," preserves and interprets a number of our country's most important resources associated with the founding of the United States of America.
Major
Point of Interest: This site is home to Independence Hall where the Declaration
of Independence was debated and signed in July 1776.
Junior Ranger Program? Yes.
Independence
Day Events
A
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony (10 a.m. - 11 a.m.) - music, Declaration of
Independence readings, and more.
Independence
Day Parade (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Let
Freedom Ring Ceremony (1 p.m. - 2 p.m.) - History program with "pomp and
circumstance"
The Committee
of Five (2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.) - ranger-led gallery tour about the men selected
to draft the Declaration of Independence
Twilight
Tour (6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.) - Tour the park on a walking tour with the Friends of
Independence
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| George Rogers Clark Memorial Image courtesy nps.gov |
4. George
Rogers Clark National Historical Park (Indiana) - This site
memorializes Fort Sackville and Lt. Col George Roger Clark's victory over the
British on February 25, 1779. This victory assured the US' claims to the
frontier.
Major
Point of Interest: The George Rogers Clark Memorial
Junior Ranger Program? Yes.
No
Independence Day Events Scheduled.
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| Hartwell Tavern. Image courtesy nps.gov |
5. Minute
Man National Historical Park (Massachusetts) - Visit where it
all began and see the site where the first shots of the war rang out at
Lexington and Concord in April 1775.
Major
Point of Interest: This site is home to Hartwell Tavern, a landmark in the
community where news and issues of the day were shared and discussed by
travelers to and from Boston.
Junior Ranger Program? Yes.
Independence
Day Events
Declaring
Independence (1 p.m.) - A reading of the Declaration of Independence.
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| Wick House at Morriston NHP Image courtesy nps.gov |
6. Morristown
National Historical Park (New Jersey) - This site served as
General Washington's encampment of the Continental Army during the winter of
1779, where they survived the coldest winter on record.
Major
Point of Interest: This site is home to Wick House, an authentic 18th century structure
used as a headquarters by Maj. Gen. St Clair during the Jockey Hollow
Encampment.
Junior Ranger Program? Yes.
Independence
Day Events
Reading
of the Declaration of Independence (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) - Enjoy a host of
activities throughout the day including: musical entertainment, picnicking, the
proclamation of the 350th anniversary of New Jersey, Reading of the Declaration
of Independence, bell-tolling, musket firing, free tours of the Presbyterian
Church and graveyard and a ribbon-cutting/tour of Fort Nonsense.
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| National Mall Fireworks. Image Courtesy nps.gov |
7. National Mall (Washington, D.C.) - Some of
the best fireworks and musical performances are held here at this annual
celebration of independence. This year continues the bicentennial commemoration
of the War of 1812 and marks the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled
Banner.
Major
Points of Interest: Everything! From the Lincoln Memorial to the newest
memorial dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr., you'll find something that will
deepen your appreciation of our nation’s history and this important civic space
which is home to some of the most iconic monuments and memorials in the US.
Junior Ranger Program? Yes, including a new program, March on Washington.
Independence
Day Events
Parade
(11:45 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
US Navy
Band Concert (5 p.m - 9:30 p.m.)
A
Capitol Fourth Concert (8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.)
Fireworks!
(9:10 p.m. - 9:27 p.m.)
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| Star Fort at Ninety Six NHS. Image Courtesy nps.gov |
8. Ninety
Six National Historic Site (South Carolina) - This site
commemorates the first Revolutionary War battle south of New England (Nov
19-21, 1775) and the longest field siege of the Revolution, lasting 28 days
(May-June 1781). This site played an important role in a series of events which
led to the defeat and surrender of the British at Yorktown in 1781.
Major
Point of Interest: This site features a one-mile paved historic interpretive
trail with wayside signs, reconstructed siege works and Stockade Fort, the
original 1781 Star Fort, and the town site of old Nintey Six, historic roads
and more.
Junior Ranger Program? Yes.
No
Independence Day Events Scheduled.
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| Saratoga NHP. Image courtesy nps.gov |
9. Saratoga
National Historical Park (New York)- At this site, in the
autumn of 1777, American forces met and defeated a major force of the British
army and forced them to surrender. The Battle of Saratoga was one of the most
important victories over the British and as the turning point in the war, it
renewed patriots' hopes for independence and secured critical foreign
recognition and support.
Major
Point of Interest: This site is home to Victory Woods, a 22-acre parcel of land
which marks the final encampment site of the British army prior to its
surrender to American forces on October 17, 1777.
Junior Ranger Program? Yes.
Independence
Day Events
Naturalization
Ceremony (1o a.m.) - Celebrate as 20 immigrants become naturalized citizens of
the United States! Enjoy period music, weapons demonstrations, and toast along
with 13 toasts to Independence and the "new" United States with free
lemonade.
Declaration
of Independence Reading (2 p.m.) - Toast along with the 13 toasts to
Independence and the "new" United States with free lemonade.
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| The Face of the Statue of Liberty. Image Courtesy nps.gov |
10. Statue
of Liberty National Monument (New York) - Dedicated on October
28, 1886, this gift of friendship from France to the United States is
recognized around the world as the universal symbol of freedom and democracy.
Major
Point of Interest: What else? The Statue of Liberty! Enjoy the grounds or a
ranger-led tour. Or if you're lucky enough have obtained advance
reservations, visit the Museum, the Pedestal and the Crown and conquer the 377
steps to the top and to the rewarding vistas from one of the Crown's 24
windows.
Junior Ranger Program? Yes (NOTE: You must download and print your own copy to bring to the park; there are no booklets available due to Hurricane Sandy which destroyed all their available copies.)
No
Independence Day Events Scheduled.
