Independence Day Writing Challenge

2025 Winners from left to right, Nityasree Sanka, Juliet Shepherd, Jasmin Moore, Brynn McKeown, Charlotte Morrison, and Luke Falcon.

NPS

How do you see the Declaration of Independence influencing the future over your lifetime?

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, in collaboration with the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, is accepting essay submissions for inclusion in this year’s Independence Day programming at the park on July 4th.

Along with cash prizes provided by the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, the students will be invited to read their essays at the annual Independence Day commemoration ceremony in the park on July 4, 2026.

 

Brynn McKeown, first place winner for the high school group, reads her essay at the Independence Day Ceremony, 2025

NPS

Contest Rules

Students in Grades 6 – 12 attending (Public/Private/Home) schools within the boundaries of local school districts of Antietam, Boyertown, Coatesville, Daniel Boone, Downingtown, Exeter, Governor Mifflin, Oley Valley, Owen J Roberts, Phoenixville, Pottsgrove, Pottstown, Reading, Spring-Ford, Twin Valley, and Wyomissing are encouraged to participate. One essay submission per person.

Students in grades 9 – 12 may submit a 500 word or less essay and students in grades 6 – 8 may submit a 300 word or less essay related to the prompt:

How do you see the Declaration of Independence influencing the future over your lifetime?

Essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges for the following:

• Essays must be written solely by the candidate and cannot contain any plagiarized material.

• Present a clear them statement related to the prompt.

• Provided sufficient content supporting theme statement.

The top 3 from each grade group receiving cash awards of $125 for 1st, $100 for 2nd, and $75 for 3rd. Top 3 selectees from each grade group will also be invited to participate in the park’s Independence Day public program at 2pm on July 4th.

Contest is currently open and accepting essay submission.

Submit your essay

Send your essay attached in an email to:

[e-mail]

If you don’t have access to email, you can either hand deliver or mail-in a paper copy of your essay to:

C/O Writing Contest
Hopewell Furnace
2 Mark Bird Lane
Elverson, PA 19520

Deadline for essay contest: April 5, 2026