National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

PO Box 65
Harpers Ferry WV 25425

304 535-6748 phone
304 535-6244 fax

Harpers Ferry NHP News Release

Release Date: Immediately
Contact: Marsha B. Wassel
Phone: 304 535-6748

America’s Picnic: Celebrating The Glorious Fourth

On Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3 Harpers Ferry National Historical Park invites visitors to experience America’s Picnic: Celebrating the Glorious Fourth. This special event showcases a Harpers Ferry of the past – an 1860 town decked out in patriotic finery to celebrate Independence Day. The year is 1860. Americans celebrated the nation’s birthday with picnics, band concerts, and patriotic speeches honoring the founding fathers and the glorious republic. Americans looked back to honor a century of progress with a new experiment called democracy in the brave new world. Looking ahead, Americans also wondered whether the country would still be united for next year’s celebration or if civil war would come to pass. References to the recent John Brown raid, his execution and the coming Presidential election will be topics that stir fervor and questions about the nation’s future.

Volunteers and staff in period clothing will help set this mid-century scene. Children are invited to enroll and march with the hometown defenders, the local militia. A ranger-guided program and historic weapons demonstration called Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness joins the town’s 1860 Mayor, Captain George Chambers and his militia company, the Floyd Guard, as they bring to mind the purpose of the Declaration of Independence and defense of a young nation.

On Saturday, July 2 visitors are invited to enjoy a brass band concert. Travel back in time and experience the relaxation and recreation of an 1860’s hometown band concert with the Wildcat Regiment Band of the 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

Saturday, July 2

12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. – Special Exhibits open.

12:00 noon – Patriotism, Pride, and A Slice of Early America. Travel back in time to experience the 1860 relaxation and recreation of a hometown band concert. Join the Wildcat Regiment Band, the Regimental Band of the105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at the tent on Arsenal Square.

2:00 p.m. – Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. A living history and historic weapons firing demonstration. Join our 1860 town Mayor and Capt. George Chambers with his Floyd Guard militia as they bring to mind the establishment and defense of our grand republic. Begins at the Green.

3:00 p.m. – Support Our Home Town Defenders. Join in our local militia games. Help the local ladies raise funds for militia uniforms. Enter your name in the raffle to win a pie at the ladies fair booth!

4:00 p.m. – Patriotism, Pride, and A Slice of Early America. Travel back in time to experience the 1860 relaxation and recreation of a hometown band concert. Join the Wildcat Regiment Band, the Regimental Band of the105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at the tent on Arsenal Square.

Sunday, July 3

12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m. – Special Exhibits open.

1:00 p.m. – Support Our Home Town Defenders. Join in our local militia games. Help the local ladies raise funds for militia uniforms. Enter your name in the raffle to win a pie at the ladies fair booth!

2:00 p.m. – America’s Picnic: Celebrating the Glorious Fourth. A ranger-guided living history presentation. Follow an 1860 Harpers Ferry citizen as he recalls 4th of Julys from the town’s turbulent history. Begins at the Green.

3:00 p.m. – Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. A living history and historic weapons firing demonstration. Join our 1860 town Mayor and Capt. George Chambers with his Floyd Guard militia as they bring to mind the establishment and defense of our grand republic. Begins at the Green.

-NPS-

Updated: Tuesday, 28-Jun-2005 10:47:13 Eastern Daylight Time
www.nps.gov /archive/hafe/new/nr-americas-picnic-2005.htm
Author: Marsha B. Wassel

Back to Previous Page