HERMITAGE, Tenn. (June 26, 2019) – Celebrate the Fourth of July this year with patriotic excitement and tradition at The Hermitage. The home of our nation’s seventh president is inviting families to revisit America’s youth with classic 18th-century games and activities, as well as readings of the Declaration of Independence.
The holiday experience will include historical games on the lawn, such as the Raingutter Regatta, where guests will make their own sailboats and test their racing ability. Raising the Hickory Pole will showcase participants’ creativity as they design and display their own patriotic poster. Families will also get to reimagine our nation’s famous stars and stripes by creating a custom American flag. These activities will be free with admission to The Hermitage.
At 11 a.m., the Declaration of Independence will be read from the president’s balcony. Guests will gather on the front lawn of the mansion for this commemorative occasion. Later, at 2 p.m., a collaborative reading will take place on the back porch of the mansion. Children and adults alike will have the opportunity to honor our country by reading passages from the Declaration.
Kona Ice will offer families a chance to refresh themselves and celebrate America’s birthday with special treats. Guests can take a break from activities at 1 p.m. and enjoy while supplies last.
“The autonomy of our country was an ideal Andrew Jackson fought to protect his entire life,” said Howard J. Kittell, president and CEO of the Andrew Jackson Foundation. “He is the only president to serve in both wars of independence, orphaned by the Revolutionary War and lionized by the War of 1812. In honor of those formative years, we’ve developed a program that invites our guests to step back in time and remember why we celebrate.”
Games on the Lawn
Thursday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Readings of the Declaration of Independence
Thursday, July 4, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Happy Birthday, America!
Thursday, July 4, at 1 p.m.
About The Hermitage
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: Home of the People’s President is one of the largest, most well-preserved and most visited presidential homes in the United States. Opened to the public in 1889, The Hermitage is one of America’s first presidential museums. Today, The Hermitage is a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with more than 20 historic buildings, including Jackson’s mansion and tomb, restored slave cabins, a church, and gardens. In recent years, new interpretive initiatives and educational programs such as the history of slavery have enhanced the experience of nearly 230,000 annual visitors. For more information, visit www.thehermitage.com.
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