Love national parks? There’s a holiday for that! Join the weeklong celebration of all things “national parks” happening August 22 to 30, 2026. Wrap up summer by coming out to explore nature and history, join ranger programs, earn your Junior Ranger badge, and more. Entrance fees are waived for US citizens and residents on August 25, 2026, for our 110th birthday. Five Easy Ways to Celebrate
2026 Theme: America's StoryThis year's National Park Week theme is “Celebrate America’s Story” in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Come visit where many of America’s important stories are shared—in our national parks. Make your own stories exploring stunning natural landscapes, reflecting on our nation's inspiring history and rich culture, and enjoying the great outdoors. Share your national park stories on social media using #NationalParkWeek, #NationalJuniorRangerDay, and #NPSBirthday.
National Park Week officially begins!
During National Park Week, during regular Visitor Center hours, we'll have a table that has collection items that you can learn about. Such as iron ore, an iron pot, a cannon ball, and so much more. Northampton Ironworks played a huge roll during the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812, while relying on enslaved, indentured, and convict labor to supply iron products. Profits from the ironworks enabled Charles to purchase thousands of acres of land, iron forges, and enslaved people confiscated from British Loyalists. In 1783, the wealth gained from these methods of forced labor was used to finance the construction of the Hampton mansion. The Visitor Center is open Thursday-Sunday 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Largely unacknowledged, are the people forced into labor at Hampton became the backbone of the American Revolution. Without the wide range of people and their contributions, Hampton would not have existed at all. By learning about all these individuals, visitors can connect all aspects of the site, from the buildings to the grounds to the experiences across time of enslaved, indentured, and free people. Discover more about how their lives intertwined and how their goals and hardships played out against the backdrop of America’s development as the nation struggled to define its own concept of freedom. Learn more about the people of Hampton.
Safety should always be a top priority at any National Park Site. Safety comes in many forms, from remembering to recreated responsibly to handling historic documents.
During National Park Week, and all the time, plan like a ranger and be safe! “Planes, Trains and Automobiles!” How did the American people in the past cover distances, both short and long? The ways are surprisingly numerous, as shown by the people of Hampton, their friends and acquaintances. From the simple locomotion of walking to take a stroll around the grounds to sailing across the ocean and flying around the world, these ways have evolved over time. Children could get around in style by the late 1800s, in baby carriages and pony carts, riding bikes or on rowboats and ships. Adults could enjoy a fast ride across country on horseback or relax in a luxuriously furnished train car. They also made great sacrifices for our country flying into battle during World War II. Why don’t you visit Hampton NHS and enjoy a walk around the property, where you can admire the site’s beautiful blooming gardens, historic trees, wildlife, and original buildings. The National Park Service was created on August 25, 1916, to "preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations." Over the hundred plus years, we've grown into more than 400 national parks and many programs that reach communities around the country—and even the world! Our birthday is part of National Park Week this year so come celebrate all week! Join the birthday fun on social media using #NPSBirthday, #NPS110, and #NationalParkWeek. 10 for 110Here are ten suggestions for celebrating our 110th birthday this year. Or you can keep going with 110 ideas of of your own!
Hampton has a variety of natural resources from the state champion trees to the beautiful garden that adds a pop of color to the area. One natural area Hampton is known for is the huge meadow. The meadow is more than "just" the historic viewscape, it helps in many ways with the ecology of the area.
Natural meadows are ecosystems with an abundance of diverse plant and animal life. These open, sunny grasslands play a crucial role in the fight against climate change and maintaining ecological balance. The National Park Service is dedicated to preserving these landscapes, ensuring they continue to provide essential benefits to our planet. Learn more about the meadows at Hampton. Here at Hampton, you can explore those natural features and learn more about those who maintained them past and present.
We are so thankful for all of our amazing volunteers! We are highlighting volunteers that aren't seen as often, but are still a huge part of telling the stories of Hampton! The volunteers that help the curators.
Learn how to become a volunteer.
As the nation marks its resilience and independence, this history invites reflection and renewed purpose. The American story is not only one of founding moments, but of generations striving to widen the promise of liberty.
Freedom seekers from Hampton often set out for Baltimore City where they might hope to be supported by a large free Black community or for Pennsylvania, a “free state” with laws making it difficult for human traffickers and enslavers to pursue and recapture them. Some freedom seekers did not even look for their own freedom but rather sought to return to family members on other plantations. Over 80 enslaved people sought their freedom from Hampton throughout the time people were enslaved at Hampton. Large groups of freedom seekers were generally doomed to failure and most successful journeys to freedom were taken by young men traveling alone or in pairs. Some notable exceptions include the teenaged Rebecca Posey and housekeeper Lucy Jackson. The journey toward a more encompassing understanding of freedom continues, shaped by those who choose to carry its ideals forward. Learn more about Freedom Seekers at Hampton. Rangers wear many hats, literally. From maintenance crews and interpreters to curators, horticulturists, and administrative staff, celebrate the people whose dedication keeps our parks thriving.
Speak to a ranger and you'll find that they work for the National Park Service (NPS) because of their passion. They most likely can even recite the mission of the NPS by heart. "....to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." —National Park Service Organic Act; August 25, 1916 The National Park Service Junior Ranger program is a great way to get to know national parks. Fun activies for the whole family help you connect to parks and their stories. Celebrate Junior Ranger Day!No matter what age you are, you are invited to explore, learn, and protect on National Junior Ranger Day. You can participate in the Junior Ranger program year-round and join this one-day celebration on August 30, 2026, that is part of the annual National Park Week. Become a Junior Ranger for Hampton National Historic Site. Learn More
Find an EventCheck out these featured events to find in-person and virtual programs for National Park Week at NPS sites in the area. |
Last updated: August 15, 2026