National Park Service
Park Visitor Information - 2008
Introduction | News
Release | Events
List | Travel
Tips
Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
The park is extremely proud to announce the upcoming grand opening of the permanent Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. The event is scheduled for October 10, 11, and 12, 2008, in historic Tuskegee, AL. In addition, the event will also mark another very significant milestone - the 10-year anniversary of the enabling legislation establishing the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic site as a unit of NPS. Event-goers will be treated to a weekend full of Tuskegee Airmen history – including meeting original Tuskegee Airmen, interpretation and education, entertainment, food, pomp and circumstance, display of vintage aircraft, and much, much more! Don't miss out on this much anticipated event so mark your calendars now and make plans to be a part of this historic weekend in Tuskegee, AL.
National Park of American Samoa
American Samoa will be hosting the Pacific Festival of Arts, which is held only once every four years. This is the first time that American Samoa has hosted the festival, which is from July 20 to August 2, 2008 . About 2,500-3,000 people will be demonstrating and sharing their cultures from throughout the Pacific. The National Park of American Samoa will be conducting special guided hikes of the rainforest and archeological areas daily during the festival.
Grand Canyon National Park
Junior Ranger Discover Pack Program (Daily 9:00 a.m.) For families with children ages 9 – 14. Explore the wonders of Grand Canyon ecology and discover the diversity of plants and animals that call the canyon home. Ranger-led portion of program is 1.5 hours; however, families are encouraged to spend the entire day exploring the park with the Discovery Pack.
Junior Ranger Adventure Hike (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – 8:00 a.m.) For families with children ages 9 – 14. Experience Grand Canyon from below the rim. This 1.8 mile round-trip hike can be strenuous so bring water, sunscreen and good shoes.
Kids Rock! (Daily 10:00 a.m.) For children ages 7 – 11.
Way Cool Stuff for Kids (Daily 4:00 p.m.) For children ages 7 – 11.
Story Time Adventures (Daily 1:30 p.m.) For children ages 2 – 6.
June 21 – June 28: Star Parties at both the North and South Rims
North Rim: Explore the night sky with Phoenix Saguaro Astronomy Club volunteers. Dress warmly. Meet at 7:00 p.m. for the slide show. Telescope viewing continues into the night. Watch for special daytime viewings of the sun through a filtered telescope.
South Rim: Explore the night sky at Yavapai Point with Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association volunteers. Dress warmly. A flashlight and lawn chair are recommended. Meet at 8:00 p.m. for the slide show. Telescope viewing continues into the night. Parking is extremely limited. Please, arrive by Village Route shuttle bus, which runs until 11:00 p.m.
July 14: Western Arts Day on the North Rim.
Western Arts Day celebrates the western culture which helps define what Grand Canyon, northern Arizona, and southern Utah are today, focusing on music and poetry. Programmed activities take place in various locations throughout the North Rim developed area. Presentations may include cowboy poetry, a mandolin presentation, flint-napping, rug weaving, quilting, beading, and 1850s-era survival skills.
August 3 – 4: Native American Heritage Days on the North Rim.
The fourteenth annual Native American Heritage Days will honor Grand Canyon’s original inhabitants and others who have contributed to its colorful history. Featured presentations will include talks about how native peoples used natural resources as well as talks on cultural practices and present day customs. There will also be crafts and skills demonstrations and nature walks.
September 5 – 21: The Grand Canyon Music Festival.
Founded in 1983, the Grand Canyon Music Festival is celebrating its 25 th anniversary! This festival brings world-renowned artists to Arizona for performances, outreach, and education programs in rural and underserved Arizona communities, at affordable admission prices. Concerts emphasize the broad diversity of chamber music in celebration of the environment of this majestic World Heritage Site.
September 5 and 6: ETHEL, “ America’s favorite string band”, incorporates rock, blues, classical, jazz and other popular genres to create a sound that defies categorization.
September 12 and 13: A member of Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, Joel Fan will be joined by the “intelligent and musical” Enso String Quartet.
September 14: The Grand Canyon Music Festival’s Native American Composer Apprentice Project fair and concert of student works.
September 17 and Sunday, September 21: Grand Canyon Music Festival founder Robert Bonfiglio returns with his group “Bach Porch”, performing new works in their signature “contemporary and sophisticated” style, drawing on jazz, rock, blues, folk and classical music.
September 19 and 20 — American Masterpieces: Soprano Amy Burton, violinist Maria Bachmann and pianists Kamal Khan and Jon Klibonoff present works by the American Master John Corigliano, including “Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan” and his Academy Award-winning “The Red Violin”.
National Public Lands Day Volunteer Opportunity: September 27 – South Rim: Help the Grand Canyon National Park Vegetation Program treat invasive species. This is a great opportunity to learn about the area’s natural vegetation.
Mesa Verde National Park
On June 28, 2008 the park is planning a "Verde Fest" to celebrate the park's 102nd anniversary. The Verde Fest will involve a sustainability fair with local folks representing sustainable activities/businesses and in the evening a fundraising dinner for the Mesa Verde Institute.
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
The park’s main living history event again takes place in the fall, October 11 – 12, 2008 and this year the Fur Trade Encampment celebrates the trappers, traders, and tribes associated with the fur trade in the Southwest. Their camps, set up near the fort, will be open for touring. All together over 50 living history volunteers bring the post back to life during this major event! For more information, call (719) 383-5023.
Colorado National Monument
On September 27, 2008, the park will host a special National Public Lands Day event. The spectacular and historic Rim Rock Drive closes for five hours to motorized use to allow walkers and cyclists to enjoy the magnificent views atop Rim Rock Drive without the pressures of car traffic. Entrance fees are waived and the visitor center and bookstore host special activities for visitors and added discounts in the bookstore.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
The 187-acre National Historic Site includes Herbert Hoover’s birthplace, a working blacksmith shop, the 1857 Friends Meetinghouse, the 1853 West Branch Schoolhouse, the graves of President and Mrs. Hoover, and 81 acres of restored tallgrass prairie. Self-guided walking tours of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site reveal how the memorial landscape symbolizes American ideals as Herbert Hoover saw them and lived them. Check to see if guided tours are available when you visit.
Anyone between the ages of five and fourteen years old can become a Junior Ranger by completing activities in the Junior Ranger activity booklet. "Adventures and Great Undertakings."
A 12-minute film about Herbert Hoover`s boyhood in West Branch, is shown daily in the Visitor Center upon request.
Blacksmith demonstrations are offered from April through September. Days and times will vary and may be changed.
Living history interpreters will rove the historic grounds and demonstrate crafts, games, music, school teaching, and other activities from life in 19th century West Branch. Living History dates are June 21, July 4, July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16, August 25, and September 1.
Other special events include Hooverfest on August 2, Prairie Heritage Day on September 1, and A Christmas Past from December 5-7.
The nearby Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum includes the permanent Hoover exhibits plus temporary exhibits such as “Children in the White House: Featuring Caroline Kennedy’s Dolls,” on display until November 2, 2008.
Biscayne National Park
The Great Annual Fish Count will be held in the park in July, 2008. Similar to the Audubon Bird Count, volunteers are taught to identify and inventory reef fish. The data collected is assembled by REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) into a nationwide data base and is used to track population and migration trends. This will be the fifth year for this event in the park.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Evening Strolls on the Beach at the entrance to Fort Pickens take place on Tuesdays through August 12 at 7:00 p.m.Enjoy an hour-long program celebrating the night sky and the natural history of seashore. The program begins at the gate to the Fort Pickens Area and concludes on the beach in the park. Visitors should be prepared to walk about half a mile down the closed roadway and out to the beach, and bring a blanket or towel upon which to sit in the sand.
Full Moon Walks on the Beach at the entrance to Fort Pickens take place on Thursday, July 17 at 8:00 p.m. and Friday, August 15 at 7:30 p.m.Enjoy an hour-long program celebrating the night sky and the full moon beginning at the gate to the Fort Pickens Area and concluding on the beach in the park. Visitors should be prepared to walk about half a mile down the closed roadway and out to the beach, and bring a blanket or towel upon which to sit in the sand.
Evening Strolls and Picnic on the Beach at Naval Live Oaks Area take place on Saturdays, June 28, July 5, 12, 26 and August 2, 9, & 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Call (850) 934- 2631 for information. Meet at the north side trail parking lot. Bring your own picnic or snack. There will be several ranger-led marine life education programs at the Perdido Key and Naval Live Oaks Areas.
At Perdido Key Area
Snorkeling: Meet at the Ranger Station at Johnsons Beach. Look for the dive flag. Equipment provided or bring your own mask and snorkel. Saturdays, June 14 to August 16 at 10:00 a.m.
Ask a Ranger: Do you h ave questions about the nature and/or history of your National Seashore? A Park Ranger will be available at the Star Pavilion to entertain questions about Gulf Islands National Seashore. Saturdays, June 14 to August 16 at 1:00 p.m.
Seining Sealife: Meet at the Ranger Station at Johnson Beach. Try your hand at netting to catch, observe and release some of the local marine life at Gulf Islands. Wear water shoes, dress to get wet, bring drinking water, and sunscreen. Tuesdays, June 10 to August 5 at 2:00 p.m.
At Naval Live Oaks Area
Snorkeling at Naval Live Oaks picnic area. Look for the dive flag. Equipment provided or bring your own mask and snorkel. Mondays, June 9 to August 11 at 3:00 p.m.
The public is invited to tour the Pensacola forts during the summer season.
Fort Barrancas Area
Located on board Pensacola Naval Air Station, Ranger guided tours daily at 2:00 p.m. through August, tours are at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. (30 – 45 minutes)
Advanced Redoubt on board Pensacola Naval Air Station, Ranger Guided Tours Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. Until August 11, tours are Monday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. (30 – 45 minutes)
At Fort Pickens Area
The Fort Pickens Area is open 8:00 a.m. to sunset. The Fort Pickens Road is open to pedestrians and bicyclists only. It is a 14-mile round-trip to historic Fort Pickens. The Fort Pickens Visitor Center is temporarily closed. The fort is open for self-guided tours. Ranger Guided ToursSundays at 2:00 p.m. June 8 to August 10.
Bicycle to Fort Pickens - Meet at the entrance gate to Fort Pickens. Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. June 12, 19, 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14. The ride is 14 miles round trip. Expect to push your bike through two miles of sand. Bring walking shoes, water and a snack. An adult must accompany children under 17. Call (850) 934- 2629 for more information.
Children's Bike Ride - Meet at the entrance gate to Fort Pickens, Thursdays, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., June 12, 19, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14. Children of all ages with their own bikes (non-motorized) are encouraged to attend. An adult must accompany their children. Bring a hat, sun block and water. The ride is about two miles on a hard surface. Call (850) 916-3001 for more information.
Stargazing with the Escambia Amateur Astronomers' Association
Meet at the entrance gate to Fort Pickens. Weather permitting. Friday, June 27 from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. and Friday, August 1, 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. Volunteers from the Escambia Amateur Astronomers' Association will set up several telescopes for public viewing of the stars, planets and constellations. Visitors should park in the Escambia County parking lot adjacent to the Fort Pickens entrance gate and walk about one tenth of a mile west on Fort Pickens Road where the telescopes will be set up for viewing.
Sea Star Day Camps for children ages 3-5.
Call (850) 934-2631 for reservations and information. Meet at Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center. The “Sea Star” program features storytelling, arts and crafts, songs, and puppetry as it introduces children to the wonders of the National Seashore. Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8.
Junior Ranger Day Camps - Children ages 6 - 8 and ages 9 - 11.
Call (850) 916-3001 for reservations and information. Meet at North Side Group Area. Junior Ranger Day Camps introduce children to the natural and cultural history on the National Seashore using a variety of activities and experiences.
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Children ages 6 - 8, June 10 through August 12.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Children ages 9 - 11, June 11 through August 13.
Junior Ranger Field Camps Children ages 12 - 15.
Call (850) 934-2634 for reservations and information. Participants will discover coastal process and plant native vegetation for sand dune restoration; study endangered species; learn about archaeological techniques and how they relate to the mission of the National Park Service; snorkel to explore and study sea grass beds.
Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., June 12, 26, July 10, August 7
October 25, 2008 : Halloween in the Bayou --This children's program features volunteers and park staff dressed in costumes that represent historic characters and animals associated with bayou folklore and natural history. Visitors are encouraged to wear costumes and discover what "creatures" in the bayou do after the sun goes down. Program begins at the Davis Bayou Group Campground at 7:15pm.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
On September 14 – 21, 2008, Chickamauga Battlefield will host Special tours, talks, and living history demonstrations commemorating the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga fought in the woods and fields along the Chickamauga Creek in northwest Georgia on September 17 - 20, 1863.
On November 22-23, 2008, Chattanooga Battlefield's will host special tours, talks, and living history demonstrations commemorating the 145th Anniversary of the Battles of Chattanooga including the battles at Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge fought for control of Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 23, 24 and 25, 1863.
Chattahoochee National Recreational Area
Chattahoochee River Summer Splash on July 26, 2008 - Celebrating Healthy Parks, Healthy Living, the park will host a family float on the Chattahoochee River followed by a festival where participants can enjoy circuit hikes, live music, wildlife programs, and children's crafts.
Ocmulgee National Monument
Each year we hold the Ocmulgee Indian Celebration on the third weekend of September. The dates for 2008 will be September 19 – 21, 2008. This event is one of the largest gatherings of Native People in the Southeast. Over 300 Native people share their culture with the public. We have dancers, artist, storytellers, historic lifeway demonstrators, musicians etc., showing all aspects of Native American life. The Friday portion of the event is for school children and we bring in over 4,000 students from through out middle Georgia to interact and learn from the Native People. The weekend event is for the general public and we will have 10,000 plus visitors participate in the activities. The event is held on park grounds which are held sacred by the Native People. The Native participants look at the event as a "home coming" since they were forced from the area back in the 1830's after their ancestors had been here for 12,000 years. It gives the visitor a chance to see the true Native People and not rely upon the version of the culture they receive from TV, movies and sport team mascots.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
The park’s 28th annual cultural festival is set for Saturday, July 12 th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Kahuku Unit in Ka‘u. The free event, offering fun for the whole family, will be held at the park’s Kahuku Unit located between the 70 and 71 mile marker on Highway 11.
The festivities start at 10:00 am when the echo of the pu (shell trumpet) and a heartfelt pule (Hawaiian prayer) will remind us that the culture of Hawai`i is very much alive.
Enjoy hula by Leo Nahenahe o Pohai Kealoha, Halau Hula Kalehuaki‘eki‘eika‘iu with Kumu Hula Ab Kawainohoikala‘i Valencia, Lori Lei and Wai‘ohinu Hula Studio with Kumu Hula Lori Lei Shirakawa, and Halau Hula na Pua ‘O Uluhaimalama with Kumu Hula Emery Aceret. Listen to the sweet sounds of Hawaiian music by ‘Ulelewaihu‘i, Kenneth Makuakane, and Diana Aki.
Join in and make a lei and feather kahili, weave a coconut basket and lauhala bracelet, play musical implements and Hawaiian games, and taste traditional foods such as kalua pig, taro, sweet potato, sugar cane, and breadfruit.
Watch skilled practitioners demonstrate their arts. Learn how to fish, throw net, build canoe, craft drums, do lomilomi massage, beat kapa, carve wood, use plants as medicine, make ti leaf cape and sandals, stamp with bamboo, decorate gourds, make a lauhala hat and feather lei, create a native plant garden, and plant dryland taro.
Participants will be able to buy locally-made Hawaiian crafts from the cultural demonstrators. Food, drinks, and special edition festival t-shirts will also be available for purchase.
Fort Scott National Historic Site
July 4-5: Military
Holiday
Celebrate Independence Day 1840's style with games and
cannon firing on Friday. The festivities continue Saturday with Civil
War baseball and period dancing.
July 6: Highlights in History
Experience 1840's military
life as re-enactors bring Fort Scott to life. Weapons & living history
programs.
August 30: Garrison Life
Experience 19th century military
life as re-enactors bring Fort Scott to life.
August 31 - September 1: Highlights in History
Meet
with park rangers and volunteers for an in-depth look at Fort Scott's
compelling history.
September 27 – 28: Frontier
Days
Try your hand
at 19th century skills during this weekend of craft demonstrations.
December 5 – 6: Candlelight
Tour
Witness the magic
as 19th century Fort Scott comes to life by the glow of hundreds of candles.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site
The
park will provide special programming during the 2008 summer season focusing
on the February 12, 2009 bicentennial celebration of our 16 th president’s
birth. All events are free and open to the public.
Lincoln ’s Boyhood Home at Knob Creek will be staffed daily between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Park staff will provide four tours a day at the Birthplace, 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
On July 4, 2008 a musical tribute to Abraham Lincoln with period and patriot songs at will take place at 5:00 p.m. at the Memorial Building.
August 21, 2008 marks the 150th anniversary of the first Lincoln/Douglas debate held in Ottawa, IL. The park will host a costumed re-enactment of this debate three times during the day. The event will be held outdoors, weather permitting, otherwise indoors. Times for this event will be 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Mammoth Cave National Park
July 4, 2008: Homecoming: Before Mammoth Cave National Park opened in 1941; its lands supported
600 farms and 30 small communities. Following creation of the park, “Going
to the Fourth” was the common phrase that brought the scattered
neighbors back together for a homecoming celebration on July 4 th. The
event dwindled in the 1970s, but is revived this year for what will become
an annual event.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
String
up your fiddle and put on your dancing shoes at Jean Lafitte National
Historical Park and Preserve. The park’s Acadian (Cajun) cultural
centers highlight the folklife of Louisiana’s Mississippi River
delta region. More information at www.nps.gov/jela.
Free folk music jams on Saturdays, 9:00-11:00 a.m. (at the Farmers Market next to the WACC) at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 Saint Mary St., Thibodaux, 985-448-1375. Please note, the Wetlands Center is closed on Sundays.
Free Cajun country music performances Mondays, 5:30 p.m. at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 Saint Mary St., Thibodaux, 985-448-1375.
Free music and Cajun dance lessons Saturdays, 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, 250 West Park Ave., Eunice, 337-457-7700. Head next door to the Liberty Theater at 6:00 p.m. for Rendez-vous des Cajuns (locally known as the “Cajun Grand Ole Opry”); ticket information at 337-457-7389.
Discover the treasure of Jean Lafitte and become a National Park Service Junior Ranger! Explore the park through scavenger hunts, puzzles, and games. Plot a course for Jean Lafitte. Invent your own national park. Each one of the park's six sites offers different activities, from playing along with Cajun musicians to packing a knapsack for the Battle of New Orleans to counting spider webs.
Explore Louisiana's wetlands on free ranger-guided walks on a boardwalk trail through swamp and marsh. Daily at 10:00 a.m. (no reservations required) or under the full moon (call for dates, times, and reservations). Barataria Preserve, Marrero, LA, 504-589-2330 ext. 10.
Pass a good time the Cajun way during free folklife programs every Saturday afternoon from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Play along with local musicians, learn to dance Cajun-style, and have a taste of what's cooking at the weekly cooking demonstrations. Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, Eunice, LA, 337-457-8490. At 6:00 p.m., Rendez-vous des Cajuns features musicians, storytellers, and dancing live at the Liberty Theater next door to the center; call 337-457-7389 for ticket information.
Take a ranger-guided history walk and learn how people from all over the world contributed to the distinctive culture of New Orleans' French Quarter. Daily at 9:30 a.m. Free but ticket numbers limited. French Quarter Visitor Center, New Orleans, LA, 504-589-2636 ext. 1.
Summer day camps for kids offer games, crafts, mini-workshops with local artisans, hikes, and hands-on activities that explore Louisiana nature and culture. Prairie Acadian Cultural Center camp is free; others charge fee. Reservations are required at all camps and are being accepted now. Camps are scheduled at the five of the park's six sites.
Maine
Acadia National Park
Children's Programs (June through
August) - During the summer, families can join park rangers on a variety
of programs designed for children of all ages. Get a frog’s-eye
view of the pond habitat, hike Acadia's trails, read the landscape for
its geologic past, and more as you explore the park with a ranger on
these fun family programs. Children must be accompanied by at least one
adult on all programs.
Beyond the Beach (July and August) - Join park rangers for an up-close and personal look at some of the ocean's amazing inhabitants. Each small group has its own ranger and plenty of sea creatures to examine. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee: $10 adults, $5 children 5-12, free under 5. Purchase tickets on the day of the program at Sand Beach.
Dive In Theater Boat Cruise (mid-May through mid-October) - Cruise with a ranger through Frenchman Bay in search of seals, porpoises, and coastal bird life. Watch real-time video as a diver scours the ocean floor for marine life to bring aboard the boat for hands-on exploration with a park ranger. Fee. Reservations required.
Junior Ranger Program (mid-May through mid-October) - Kids of all ages can take part in the Junior Ranger Program to learn more about the fascinating world of Acadia National Park. Complete fun activities like drawing a favorite animal or scavenger hunt bingo, participate in ranger-led programs, and take the junior ranger pledge to earn a signed certificate and an embroidered junior ranger patch. Content and number of activities vary based on age. Junior ranger booklets available at park contact stations. The young at heart can take part, too, with the Senior Ranger Program designed for ages 18 and older.
Carriage Road Activity Guide (all year) - Using this guide, children can actively learn about the history, ecology, and geology surrounding the historic carriage roads of Acadia. Purchase booklets at Eastern National outlets in the park. With the purchase of the activity book, you will receive a carriage road patch.
Acadia Adventures: Family Fun
Day - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Celebrate summer in Acadia! Join Friends of Acadia and park rangers
special field-day activities that are designed to help kids connect with
nature and develop a sense of stewardship for Acadia National Park. Family
Fun Day will be held at Sieur de Monts Spring from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Registration required. For more information, contact Kate Petrie at 207-288-8808.
National Colonial Farm
2008 African-American Heritage
Day, 12 noon -6 p.m., Saturday, August 23, 2008.
National Colonial Farm,
3400 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek, MD. You are invited to attend the
Annual African-American Heritage Day at the National Colonial Farm
to discover, explore, and learn about the history of African Americans-
past to the present. This all day event will provide a "one spot" opportunity
for visitors to increase their knowledge of history and culture through
innovative performances, presentations, stories and music.
Chespaeake & Ohio Cnaal National
Historical Park
Narrated
mule pulled canal boat rides take visitors along the canal and
through a 19th century lift lock. One hour rides are available at both
Great Falls (MD) and Georgetown
(Washington, DC).
The Cumberland Visitor Center, located in the Western Maryland Railway Station at 13 Canal Street in Cumberland, is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round. The replica canal boat "The Cumberland" located at Canal Place will be open for touring Thursday through Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. until September 20.
Cumberland Basin Walk Talks will be offered Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3:15 p.m. from until August 31. Visitors should meet the ranger at the mule sculpture on the plaza at the Western Maryland Railway Station for the approximately 30 minute walk to learn more about the busy western terminus of the canal.
Lockhouse 75 at North Branch, 5 miles south of Cumberland, is open for touring on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until August 31. Staffed by members of the C & O Canal Association, the lockhouse is also open on Labor Day. Lockhouse 70 at Oldtown, 15 miles south of Cumberland, will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from May 31 - August 31. A program entitled "Locktender's Life" will be presented on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. at either Lockhouse 75 or Lockhouse 70. Call the Cumberland Visitor Center at (301) 722-8226 for specific dates and locations.
Guided tours of the Paw Paw Tunnel are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. from May 31 - August 31, 2008. Meet a ranger at the tunnel entrance, one-half mile from the visitor parking area off MD Rt. 51 South, 25 miles southeast of Cumberland. Bring a flashlight and wear comfortable walking shoes for the one hour hike to explore the single largest structure along the C & O Canal.
The Williamsport Visitor Center, located at the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport, MD, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until October 10. The Hancock Visitor Center will be open Friday through Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through October 26, 2008. The park's visitor center at the Brunswick Railroad Museum will be open Friday - Sunday.
The Lander Lockhouse will be open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through October 18, 2008. Lander Lockhouse is located off Lander Road just west of Point of Rocks. Park volunteers will offer visitors a tour of the historically furnished lockhouse.
A walk that explores life along the canal starts in the lower town at Harpers Ferry at 12 noon, Friday through Monday through September 7.
Ferry Hill will be open for tours exploring plantation life and civil war history. Located across the Potomac River from Shepherdstown, Ferry Hill will be open every weekend through September 1, from 12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Several programs will be available at the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport, Maryland. Building America's Canals, an exhibit organized by the National Canal Museum, will be open daily from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. With hands-on activities, children and adults alike can explore how canals were built. Canal basin tours which will explore the Cushwa Basin in greater depth will be led by a ranger daily at 12 noon. Lock demonstrations allowing visitors to understand how boats "locked" through will be presented at Lock 44 on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Two hour long ranger-led bike rides are offered on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month at 10:00 a.m.
Campfire programs will be presented by park rangers at the McCoy's Ferry campground on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 7 p.m. Join a ranger at Four Locks parking lot on Sundays at 1 p.m. for a one-hour walking tour exploring the history of the Four Locks community and the role it played in supporting the canal. McCoy's Ferry and Four Locks are located near Clear Spring, Maryland off of Route 56.
Greenbelt Park
Invasive Plant Removal will take place
at the Sweetgum Picnic Area at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5. Ages 8
and up can m ake a difference and help preserve native plants. Join in
a hands-on nature preservation activity as we pull non-native plants
and help preserve Greenbelt Park for future generations. Bring insect
repellant. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirt,
and bring work gloves.
Come to the Ranger Station near the campground at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. Join a park ranger around a campfire to hear great tips on fire safety and how to build and extinguish a campfire.
Fort Washington Park
Civil War Artillery Demonstrations will take place at the Old Fort on Sunday, July 6.
12:00 noon - Musket Demonstrations
1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.- Artillery Demonstrations
At 12 noon, members of the Fort Washington Guard dressed in Civil War uniforms will demonstrate the firing of muzzle-loading. At 1:00 p.m., procedures used during the muzzleloading era of American Artillery will be demonstrated using a 6-pounder field gun. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a non-firing artillery drill after each demonstration. In recognition of Independence Day, 13 shots will be fired to commemorate the original colonies.
Thomas Stone National Historic Site
Thomas Stone was
a signer of the Declaration of Independence so July 4 th, 2008 is a special
event. This year, a year-long series of events commemorating this county's
350th anniversary will take place. The event on the 4th, entitled "Charles
County; Player Through Time" will
offer a look at individuals and groups that made significant contributions
towards developing this county, this state, and this nation and will
feature representation by Native Americans, African-Americans and the
European settlers in this area. Activities include historic toys demonstrations,
horse and buggy shuttles between activities and a moving reading of the
Declaration of Independence by Thomas Stone's uncle, Daniel of St. Thomas
Jenifer. The free event will be held from 10am until 2pm at the Thomas
Stone National Historic Site in Port Tobacco, Maryland.
Glen Echo Park
Labor Day Art Show, August 29 thru September
1, 2008at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD. This annual event exhibits the
work of several hundred local artists in the historic Spanish Ballroom.
Beginning with a reception from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Friday, the
exhibition continues through Monday. Hours are from 12 noon - 6:00 p.m.
from Saturday through Monday.
Salem Maritime National Historic
Site
The 20th Annual
Salem Maritime Festival and Salem Heritage Days takes place August 1-3,
2008 . The festival features activities on the tall ship Friendship,
the park’s full-sized replica of a 1797 square-rigged merchant
ship which was built and operated by volunteers as a “living ambassador” for
the park; opportunities to board and view traditional vessels, demonstrations
of traditional crafts, music, and activities for children.
Salem Maritime National Historic
Site, Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, and Essex National
Heritage Area
The Trails and
Sails event from September 28-30, 2008 features more than 150
events at more than 90 nonprofit and community partner sites throughout
the Essex National Heritage Area to highlight the diversity of historic,
cultural, and natural resources within the Heritage Area. Events include
a canoe trip down the recently restored Saugus River.
Vicksburg National Military Park
The park’s Living
History activities will present interpretive programs of the history
of the campaign and siege of Vicksburg until August 2. Park rangers and
volunteers will demonstrate artillery and rifle musket drills, talk on
siege life for both the soldiers in the trenches and civilians in the
city, and life aboard the ironclad gunboat, USS Cairo. Visitors
will also have the opportunity to ‘Ask-A-Ranger,’ an informal
question and answer session on the history of the campaign and siege,
the founding of Vicksburg National Military Park, and any other questions
that comes to mind!
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
The park
will commemorate the 132nd Anniversary of the Battle of the
Little Bighorn on June 25 & 26, 2008. The event includes participation by Affiliated
Indian Tribes and Custer Groups. The purpose is to honor those Soldiers
and Warriors who fought and died at the Battle of the Little Bighorn
in 1876.
Big Hole National Battlefield (Nez Perce National Historical
Park)
The 131st Commemoration of the Big Hole
Battle will take place
Saturday, August 9, 2008. Nez Perce veterans and tribal elders will honor
all who have fought and died on the Battlefield through pipe and empty
saddle ceremonies beginning at 10 AM. Other activities planned include
a Battlefield tour at 2 p.m. and special guest speaker. The Battle of
the Big Hole was fought on August 9 and 10, 1877, when Nez Perce families
were attacked by the U.S. Seventh Infantry and civilian volunteers. Approximately
ninety Nez Perce men, women, and children lost their lives, as well as
31 soldiers and volunteers.
Bear Paw Battlefield (Nez Perce National Historical
Park)
Each year, many Nez Perce tribal members travel to Bear Paw Battlefield
to honor all those who fought and died during the conflict of 1877. This
year's commemoration will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2008, from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a rider-less horse ceremony, pipe ceremony,
and traditional drum circle. This event is free and open to the public
but photography is not allowed during the pipe ceremony. Near Chinook,
MT, Bear Paw Battlefield commemorates the final conflict of the Nez Perce
War of 1877. Here, forty miles short of the Canadian border and following
a five-day battle and siege, the Nez Perce ceased fighting on October
5th, 1877, when Chief Joseph gave his immortal speech: "From where
the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
Homestead National Monument of America
The Homestead
Heritage Center uses interactive exhibits to tell the national story
of how the Homestead Act of 1862 changed the people, land, and world.
Included in this new center is a new film titled “ Land of Dreams:
Homesteading America.”
The GPS Prairie Walk is a daily opportunity to take a tour of the tallgrass prairie led by a GPS unit. It includes stops with cultural information about this homestead claim.
Kids in Parks activities encourage kids to get outside and get involved in real science with a park ranger. This is a partnership with the YMCAs of both Lincoln and Beatrice, Nebraska. This is a 6 week program where 3 rd to 6th grade students will participate in activities two days a week and Saturdays are for everyone. Projects include water quality testing including identifying macroinvertebrates and biodiversity of both plants and insects. One week will take place at Rock Creek Station State Historical Site.
Prairie Visions Writing Festival will take place on October 3, 2008. High school students are invited to participate in a writing workshop using nature to inspire their writings. The workshops will be led by former national poet laureate Ted Kooser.
Morristown National Historical Park
Washington 's Headquarters
Museum: The 1930s Washington's Headquarters Museum is open daily from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during its renovation project. The museum offers a gift
shop/ sales area and restrooms, and serves as a visitor contact point
to begin Ford Mansion tours. Two galleries of new exhibits featuring
items from the museum collection will open on July 4 th.
Tours of Washington's Headquarters at the Ford Mansion: Daily at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m..
The Wick House at Jockey Hollow: Daily, approximately 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The 75th anniversary of the establishment of Morristown National Historical Park will be observed on July 4, 5 and 6, 2008 with a series of free programs and events. In 1933, Morristown NHP was the first national historical park added to the National Park System. The park's original dedication ceremony was held on July 4, 1933.
Friday, July 4th – Free
Independence Day Events
Washington's Headquarters, 30 Washington Place,
Morristown, NJ
Program begins at 2:00 p.m.
A short rededication program will be held
in front of the newly renovated Washington’s Headquarters Museum and will be followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Both the Museum and the adjacent Ford Mansion will be open for self-guiding
tours from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors
are asked to bring blankets or folding chairs for the outdoor events.
Saturday, July 5th – Free
Fireworks
Lewis Morris County Park, 270 Mendham Road (Routes 510 and
24), Morris Township, NJ.
Afternoon picnics with fireworks at dusk
Visitors are welcome to enjoy pre-fireworks picnics in Lewis Morris County Park, adjacent to the Jockey Hollow Unit of Morristown NHP. The fireworks program will begin at dusk in the area next to Sunrise Lake.
Sunday, July 6th – Free
Concert
Morristown Green, Downtown Morristown, NJ
Concert begins at 1:30 p.m.
The sextet Solid Brass will perform music ranging from Sousa to Ragtime as well as other music from the early 20th century. Visitors are encouraged to picnic on the grounds of the Green before and during the hour-long concert. The concert is sponsored by the Trustees of the Morristown Green.
Fort Union National Monument
The park will host a special event entitled Cultural Encounters on July19-29, 2008. Guest speakers, living history programs and demonstrations featuring the Hispanic, Native American traditions and military history will be presented.
"An Evening at Fort Union" Candlelight Tours among the ruins of the 3rd fort featuring historic vignettes of fort life will be presented on August 23, 2008.
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
August 8-10, 2008 Canal Splash! will attract approximately 35,000 residents and visitors to a variety of events throughout the Canalway Corridor that celebrate its history, culture, and many recreational opportunities. Sponsored by NYS Canal Corporation, with support from Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and Parks & Trails in New York.
Federal Hall National Memorial
On July 10, 2008, the site will celebrate the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in New York City ( July 10, 1776) with lectures and programs. The National Archives and Records Administration will also participate with a Document Discovery Day.
There will be a commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the evacuation of the British Army from New York and the end of the American Revolution on November 25, 2008 . Costumed reenactors and representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the U.S. Army will participate in a ceremony marking the transfer of authority from Britain to the United States. Wreathes will be presented at the graves of soldiers of the American Revolution in nearby Trinity Churchyard.
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
The kick-off event for Kinderhook, New York’s year long-celebration of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial will be Harvest Day at Lindenwald, Van Buren's home, on September 20, 2008 . Members of the Mohican Nation will present programs and exhibits about their history and culture, Mohican life in the Hudson Valley, the tribe's move to northeastern Wisconsin in the 19th century, and life in the tribe today.
Saratoga National Historical Park
On July 4, 2008, America's birthday will be celebrated during the 5th Annual Citizenship Ceremony on lands where freedom was earned. Lemonade toasts to the 13 colonies and cannon firings will delight the new citizens and hundreds of visitors.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
July 4, 2008: Independence Day Celebration with a program that includes the Rough Rider Re-enactors of the Nassau Suffolk Horsemen’s Association, the Sagamore Hill Band, and James Foote portraying Theodore Roosevelt.
Sagamore Hill will observe the 150th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt’s birth and begin a year long observance celebrating his life and accomplishments. On October 25, 2008 there will be a Boy Scout memorial pilgrimage from Theodore Roosevelt's grave to Sagamore Hill and a sesquicentennial parade in the town of Oyster Bay. On October 26, there will be children's activities and special programming at Sagamore Hill and Christ Church, where Roosevelt worshipped, will hold a memorial service. On October 27, 2008 TR’s birthday, events include: a wreath will be placed at Roosevelt's grave; local dignitaries and Rough Rider reenactors will process from the grave to Sagamore Hill, speeches, birthday cake, a US Postal Service 150th commemorative cachet cancellation station, a guest speaker will present a keynote address to children from area schools, and other special programming.
Women’s Rights National Historical Park
Walking tours, living history programs and a commemorative ceremony will mark the 160 th anniversary of the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention on July 19, 2008 .
Moores Creek National Battlefield
July 4th Weekend at Moores Creek, July 4-6, 2008. Celebrate Independence at Moores Creek National Battlefield. The park will offer living history demonstrations and guided tours of the battlefield. The American victory here in February, 1776 convinced North Carolina leaders to instruct their delegates at the Continental Congress to vote for Independence. Enjoy blacksmithing, musket firing, and more. The event is free and lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Park hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Autumn Candlelight Tours at Moores Creek, November 15, 2008. Join us for our annual candlelight tours, the only time of the year when visitors can walk the battlefield by the glow of candlelight. Along the way, visitors will meet people of the past and learn about the events that led to the battle of Moores Creek. The event is free and lasts from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are required, and may be made starting November 1.
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
Independence Day, July 4, 2008 - New Citizen Naturalization Ceremony at 11:00 am on the Visitor Center steps. A formalized ceremony for 20-25 new citizens, attended by local civic leaders, judges and special guests.
The 195th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie is celebrated during Historic Weekend September 6 – 7, 2008. The weekend includes a 1,200 Boy Scout Camparee; a Grand Parade with area high schools bands, antique cars and color guard, carrying featured speakers and other dignitaries to the afternoon Memorial ceremony; a free concert given by the Toledo Symphony Saturday evening; musket fire and cannon demonstrations drawing attention to a reenactors’camp; ending with an1860’s style baseball game on Sunday afternoon.
William Howard Taft National Historic Site
The park will host a free concert by the Last Boppers on Friday July 4th from 1:00 to 4 p.m. This phenomenal band combines improvisational jazz with ethnic sounds. By combining improvisational jazz, traditional ethnic sounds, spoken word and visual art, the Neo-Ancestralists are a truly unique force in local music. Visitors will also be treated to free ice cream.
The Last Boppers Musical Cooperative provides an atmosphere conducive to serious music and performance of new, unrecorded compositions. Its aims include: establishing an environment for creative musicians and appreciators; educating younger musicians and appreciators about the true origins of jazz music and the power of creative music; and sponsoring free training programs for young musicians and assisting with job opportunities.
Beyond the Veil: The Taft Connection - William Howard Taft National Historic Site, the Costume Gallery of Newport, Kentucky and the Women’s Historic Society of Cincinnati will co-sponsor a Victorian Fashion Show and Exhibit. Don’t miss this opportunity to join us, as we stroll back in time and see how women’s lives were influenced through fashion. Come and explore the beauty and dangers of Victorian fashion. Victorian fashion helped define a woman’s social and economic sphere.There will be various wedding fashions that showcase 100 years of weddings from 1860 thru 1960. The exhibit will be of historic dresses one from each decade along with photographs, and much more. The fashions will be on display until July 1, 2008. The fashion show will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m on June 28, 2008 at the Taft Historic Site.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Fall Family Fun Day - Saturday, November 15, 2008 10:00 a.m . to 12:00 noon
How do our feathered friends get ready for the winter? Join PARC founder Darryl Speicher, founder of the Pocono Avian Research Center, to learn birdfeeding basics and tips to make your backyard a haven for winter birds. After the presentation, join park rangers and volunteers for crafts and activities. Make a small bird feeder to take home! Family Fun Days take place at the Bushkill Meeting Center, on US Route 209, just south of the blinking light in Bushkill, PA.
There is no charge for the programs; however, reservations are recommended. Please call call (570) 426-2490 to make a reservation.
Octivities is an autumn activities day for children in October. Millbrook Village buildings are open for tours and demonstrations. Children’s activities include pumpkin painting and the making of apple-head and cornhusk dolls. All are welcome to come in costume if they wish. Light refreshments. Admission is free; reservations are recommended. Please call (908) 841-9531 to reserve a place.
Cowpens National Battlefield
Cowpens National Battlefield will celebrate our nation’s independence on Saturday, July 5, 2008. This 16 th annual FREE event is a traditional visitor and local favorite. The day will begin with the regularly-scheduled guided battlefield walk at 9:30 a.m. and end with fireworks behind the Visitor Center around 9:15 p.m.
In the afternoon reenactors will set up a soldier's camp and give musket and rifle firing demonstrations. Between 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., the Spartanburg Community Band will play patriotic music. In the evening, visiting children can participate in special family activities and 18 th century games. The fireworks will begin around 9:00 p.m.
Bring a picnic and enjoy the evening with your family and friends. In the event of inclement weather, only the fireworks will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2008.
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park will hold its annual Swampfest event this year on October 4, 2008. This event, celebrating the area's cultural heritage, provides an opportunity for Congaree to partner with a host of other local and regional organizations to highlight the rich diversity of cultural sites in the area. Activities include owl-calling, hayrides, traditional crafts demonstrations, singing, dancing, and historical tours and guided talks. A shuttle is provided to allow visitors to attend events across three main sites: Congaree National Park, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, and the Kensington Mansion.
Kings Mountain National Military Park
The park will celebrate the 228th Anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 4, 5 & 7, 2008. On October 4 and 5 living history volunteers in period dress will perform military drills and demonstrate militia camp life. On the morning of October 7 a wreath laying ceremony will be held at the U.S. Monument. This will be followed by a special ceremony at the park amphitheater at 3:00 PM.
Stones River National Battlefield
July 19-20, 2008, Artillery Encampment and Battery Firing: Stones River National Battlefield will host its annual artillery encampment and battery firing programs on Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, 2008. Cannons and crews from several states will assemble on the battlefield to tell the story of the artillery at the Battle of Stones River and demonstrate the firing of Civil War cannon. The physical and psychological impact of artillery played a critical role in the Union victory at Stones River. The big guns will fire near the visitor center each day at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm on Saturday (July 19th) and 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm on Sunday (July 20th). Visitors will get a chance to try their hand at artillery drill each day as the soldiers take them to the guns for some intense instruction in the art of firing a cannon. The battery camp will be open to the public each day, and visitors are encouraged to join the soldiers and ask them questions about life in the Union army.
Shiloh National Military Park
Corinth Heritage Festival, November 7-8, 2008 . In cooperation with the City of Corinth, the park staff will assist in providing a series of public activities interpreting and commemorating the history and culture of the community. A memorial grand illumination with more than 8,000 candle luminaries, lighting the grounds from historic Battery Robinett into the heart of downtown, will memorialize the total number of men killed, wounded, or captured during the Civil War Battle of Corinth fought on October 3-4, 1862. In addition, a heritage crafts fair, local youth art competition, symphony concert and other music events, as well as student educational programs involving living history presentations at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center are scheduled.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
The park will hold it’s 16th Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival. Over the years this event has grown to become the largest free storytelling festival in the southeast. Annually the event will reach over 11,000 local students and 4,000 park visitors. This years event will be held on September 20, 2008, in the areas adjacent to the Bandy Creek Visitor Center. Activities will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude that night at 10:30 p.m. All activities are free to the public.
Chamizal National Memorial
The 25th annual Music Under the Stars Concert Series will be held in from June to August, 2008 (in partnership with the City of El Paso).
The 4th of July Music Extravaganza and Independence Day Celebration/Fireworks Display (in partnership with the City of El Paso and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra) will be held on July 4, 2008 .
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
On August 9, 2008 the LBJ Ranch will host a special July 4 event focusing on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The program will be entitled “LBJ and Civil Rights”
Booker T. Washington National Monument
The park will host Junior Ranger Programs in July and August 2008 for children ages 6-12. Children will learn about the different roles of park rangers. Pre-registration is required.
July 12 - To Be A Leader 10:00 a.m. - Learn about team building and the leadership styles of Booker T. Washington.
August 2 - To Be a Naturalist 10 a.m. - Hike the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail and study plants and animals like a naturalist. Participate in a stream activity to learn about the importance of clean water.
Booker T. Washington National Monument will also partner with Smith Mountain Lake State Park for some programs in June and July.
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
On July 13, 2008, the National Park Service will celebrate the birthday of Maggie L. Walker with historical re-enactments of Mrs. Walker’s famous speeches, special interpretive programs, and tours of her historic home and the Jackson Ward community in Richmond.
Richmond National Battlefield Park
From October 10-12, 2008 folk artists and artisans from across the country will gather at the historic Tredegar Iron Works, Richmond National Battlefield Park’s main visitor center, for the Richmond Folk Festival, a weekend of special activities celebrating a wide mix of cultural music, dance and crafts. This event is a community effort that partners the National Park Service with public and private institutions across the city for a weekend of family fun and learning.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
The Georgetown Visistor Center is the departure point for a one hour round trip bost ride along the canal. Mules and living history reenactors provide the muscle that propels the canal boat through historic Georgetown. The narrated trip also goes through a 19th century llift lock.
Kenilworth Aqautic Gardens
Want To Learn How to Grow Aquatic Plants? A ranger will demonstrate how it’s possible to grow aquatic plants in a small yard or shady spot without a pond. The program, for ages 9 and up, will take place on Friday, July 4 at 1:00 p.m.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
2008 Korean War Armistice Day Ceremony, 10:00 a.m., Sunday, July 27, 2008.
This year marks the 58th Anniversary of the Korean War. On June 25, 1950 the North Korean Army-organized, equipped, and abetted by the Soviet Union-lunged across the 38th Parallel to subdue its countrymen to the south. This year also marks the 55th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, and 13th Anniversary of the dedication of the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Armistice Day will be observed on the same day and time the cease fire took effect in Korea on July 27, 1953. A formal wreath-laying ceremony will take place with presentations by government and military personnel. Veterans and service organizations will attend.
Presidents Park
Visitors who have the “liberty” to stop at the White House Visitor Center on Friday, July 4, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. may experience what it would be like to be a “Signer of the Declaration of Independence for a day” with the help of National Park Service rangers and volunteers from President’s Park. The White House Visitor Center is located near the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue between 14 th and 15 th Streets, N.W., on the north side of the Commerce Department building.
During this full day of free programming, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to sample some of the sights, sounds, activities, and personages that helped to form the United States of America on July 4, 1776. The day’s events will include games, crafts and other activities for both children and adults.
The Signature Event, scheduled at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. will be a one of a kind chance to don a tricornered hat and play a role in one of this nation’s greatest dramas, the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. In this fun and engaging interactive program that is suitable for all ages, members of the audience will actually assume the roles of delegates to the Continental Congress and represent their colonies in a debate that will determine the fate of a nation! Led by the “Atlas of Independence” John Adams (portrayed by a National Park Service interpreter) the debate becomes heated as the time draws short before the final vote is called. After the debate each delegate signs with a quill pen his or her name to a giant sized copy of the document, receives a facsimile of period currency from their respective colony, rings a Liberty Bell, and receives a copy of the Declaration of Independence to keep as a memorial to their great efforts in the service of their nation!
“Chat” with John Adams about the decision that he and his fellow delegates made to commit treason against the King of England by signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Fine tune your congressional correspondence by writing with a quill pen and protecting the privacy of the letter with sealing wax. Have your portrait taken in a tricornered hat affixing your signature to America’s most famous document. Enjoy “the Pursuit of Happiness” by sampling period games and entertainments of the 18 th Century. Participate in a formal reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:00 p.m.
Program Schedule:
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Portrait opportunity signing the Declaration of Independence.
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Test your Congressional correspondence skill as well as your writing skills with a quill pen.
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Roll a Beeswax Candle.
9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. -“The Pursuit of Happiness”- A Round Robin Tournament of 18th and 19th Century Games.
9:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.- A public audience with John Adams.
11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. - A Signature Event: An opportunity to don a tricornered hat and play a role in one of this nation’s greatest dramas, the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. (Program Duration: 60 Minutes, Space is limited)
1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. - Reading of the Declaration of Independence
National Mall & Memorial Parks (Washington, D.C.)
America’s 2008 Independence Day Parade, 11:45 a.m., Friday, July 4, 2008 between 7th to 17th Streets on Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The parade celebrates the 232nd birthday of the United States of America traveling down Constitution Ave, from 7th to 17th Streets. More than 3000 performers, dancers, cultural organizations, giant balloons, floats, and military personnel from thirteen States will march down Constitution Avenue. The parade is estimated to last approximately 2 hours. The parade is free and open to the public.
Independence Day Celebration, Friday, July 4, 2008 on the National Mall, Washington, DC. The day promises to be exciting and fun-filled! Musical and interpretive performances on the Washington Monument Grounds and the Capitol Concert at the West Lawn of the Capitol Grounds. The day concludes with the traditional NPS fireworks beginning at 9:10 p.m.
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site
Anniversary Celebration, 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 10, 2008: Bethune Statue, Lincoln Park, 11th and East Capitol Streets NE, Washington, DC. July 10th is the official birthday of Mary McLeod Bethune. A formal wreath-laying ceremony celebrates the 132nd birthday of the African American educator, human rights activist and founder of the National Council of Negro Women, Mary McLeod Bethune. This year's celebration marks the 34th anniversary of the wreath-laying ceremony the erection of the Bethune Memorial on July 10, 1974. Those wishing to attend will gather in Lincoln Park at the 12-foot tall Bethune Statue. For further information call 202-673-2402.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Veterans Day Observance at Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 11, 2008: Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, DC. Veterans Day will be observed with speeches, speakers and color guard, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The annual Veterans Day Observance at The Wall is co-hosted by The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the National Park Service to pay tribute to all who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War. Jan C. Scruggs, Founder and President Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will serve as master of ceremonies. For further information call 202-619-7222. Watch for updates.
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
On June 20, 2008, a performance of “Wild Woods & Waters” by the Big Top Chautauqua will take place at Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisconsin. In conjunction with Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference, “Wild Woods & Waters” features the stories and songs of our greatest natural resources, from the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers, to the Great Lakes, from the wetlands to the forests, and includes a call for good stewardship to keep these safe for future generations.
Devils Tower National Monument
The park will hold an unveiling ceremony on August 31, 2008 of the sculpture, "Circle of Sacred Smoke". A Centennial project entitled "Connecting American Indians with Devils Tower", the ceremony will include Japanese drummers, tribal drummers, local school drummers, and will be attended by a contingency of approximately 300 Japanese.
Fossil Butte National Monument
Aquarium in Stone takes place on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (weather depending) until August 30, 2008. Visitors are invited to participate in the scientific collection of fossils with a member of our paleontological staff. It's a great opportunity to get hands dirty and see a fossil revealed after being buried in stone for 50 million years. Wear comfortable hiking boots, sunscreen, and bring drinking water and insect repellent.