NEW YORK - On July 4, 1776, the signing of the Declaration of Independence signaled the final break between the 13 Colonies and Great Britain. It is a date celebrated across the United States and known throughout the world as the birth of a new kind of government "of, for and by the people."
The National Park Service (NPS) will commemorate Independence Day with a special all-day event at Federal Hall National Memorial, 26 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Gen. George Washington (portrayed by a local living historian), hear period music, and take part in a special reading of the Declaration of Independence. Those who participate in the reading will receive a special certificate filled out with his or her name and signed by Gen. Washington. As there are only a limited number of spots for readers, advance reservations are being taken. To sign up, please call 212-835-6990 or Email Michael_Callahan@nps.gov.
In addition, NPS Rangers will lead programs on the causes of the American Revolution as well as how the news of the Declaration was received by various populations in New York. Visitors can also check out a display of reproduction 18th-century maps and flags. Children of all ages are not only invited to take part in the reading at noon, but are also invited to become Junior Rangers. And, at any time during the day's programming, visitors can follow in Washington's footsteps with the self-guided walking tour through lower Manhattan of "Washington's New York." Copies may be picked up at the Visitor Center desk.
"We are looking forward to a wonderful Fourth of July," said Shirley McKinney, superintendent of Federal Hall National Memorial. "We hope our neighbors as well as our out-of-town visitors will join us in celebrating this momentous day in American history."
WHAT: July 4th Celebration
WHERE: Federal Hall National Memorial, 26 Wall Street
WHEN: July 4, 2014
10 a.m.: Ranger Talk - "Causes of the Revolution" in the Zenger Gallery.
10:30 a.m.: Linda Russell performs 18th-Century music in the Zenger Gallery.
11:00 a.m.: Meet General Washington in the Zenger Gallery.
11:30 a.m.: Linda Russell performs in the Zenger Gallery.
Noon.: Reading of the Declaration of Independence on the front Steps of Federal Hall (inside rotunda in the event of inclement weather) with General Washington and New York citizens. To make reservations to take part in the reading, please contact us at either michael_callahan@nps.gov or 212-825-6990.
1 p.m.: Ranger Talk - "British, Loyalist, African American and Indian Views on the Declaration" in the Zenger Gallery.
1:30 p.m.: Linda Russell performs in the Zenger Gallery.
2 p.m.: Meet General Washington in the Zenger Gallery.
Children of all ages are invited to become Junior Rangers and to attend a special reading in the Lower Rotunda at Federal Hall at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. A collection of reproduction 18th-Century maps of New York will be on display throughout the event in the rotunda.
WEB: www.nps.gov/feha
About Federal Hall National Memorial
26 Wall Street was the site of New York City's 18th-century City Hall. After the Revolution, the Continental Congress met at City Hall. Pierre L'Enfant was commissioned to remodel City Hall for the new federal government. The First Congress met in the new Federal Hall, and wrote the Bill of Rights, and George Washington was inaugurated here as President on April 30, 1789. When the capital moved to Philadelphia in 1790, the building again housed city government until 1812, at which time Federal Hall was demolished. The current structure on the site was built as the Customs House it later became the U. S. Sub-Treasury until that system was replaced by the Federal Reserve.
How to Get There
Federal Hall is located at 26 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. There are numerous ways to get there using public transportation. Please visit www.mta.info for more information and transportation maps.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
