PORTSMOUTH—
On Monday, July 4, Strawbery Banke Museum rings with an event and fun-filled family commemoration of the nation’s 235th birthday. The 10th annual An American Celebration! event takes place at the Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes Revolutionary War re-enactors, a visit from Abe Lincoln, an insider’s view of the shipyard where the new Gundalow is being built and nearly every kid’s activity imaginable.
From games and contests to kite flying to bubble-blowing plus a treasure hunt, the ever-popular 1940s candy counter and Victorian fairy houses, this is a day dedicated to family fun. The traditional Children’s Bike & Wagon Parade starts at 2:30 p.m. and children are invited to come early to decorate their entries between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Strawbery Banke Museum will also remember its role as the keeper of 400 years of Portsmouth history with historic house tours where costumed role-players welcome visitors to their eras, plus colonial hearth-cooking demonstrations and artisans at work in the cooper’s shed and potters’ shop. Visitors can participate in crafts, Children’s Garden activities and observe the Museum’s onsite archaeology excavation.
An American Celebration begins this year with the US Naturalization ceremony, welcoming new citizens to the public for the first time. “An American Celebration at Strawbery Banke is a family event that salutes what Independence Day really means,” said Lawrence J. Yerdon, President of Strawbery Banke Museum. “From welcoming new citizens to welcoming our neighbors and visitors, An American Celebration is a commemoration of the nation’s founding and the parts the people of Portsmouth played, a recognition of past challenges and opportunities and a rousing reaffirmation of what life in these United States means to us today.”
No American 4th of July would be complete without great food and great music and An American Celebration features both of those. Vendors will offer hot dogs, lobster rolls, milkshakes, watermelon, salads and cookies along with selections from Googies Sandwich Shoppe and Dos Amigos Burritos.
New this year is the First Annual Seacoast Professional Pie Baking Competition. Professional bakers from restaurants and bakeries around the area will each supply two pies: one for sampling by the judges and the other to be raffled off to benefit the museum’s historical cooking programs. The Bedford Big Band will present live swing music and popular favorites all day.
An American Celebration is the focal point of Independence Day celebrations on the seacoast and is one of Strawbery Banke Museum’s signature events, drawing thousands of visitors who mix comfortably across the 10-acre campus. Admission to An American Celebration is free to children under 17 thanks to sponsorship from BAE Systems. As a member of the Blue Star Museums program, Strawbery Banke Museum admits active duty military and their families free at all times. Museum members are also admitted free of charge. Adult tickets are $15 and available in advance on the Strawbery Banke website, www.strawberybanke.org or by calling 603-433-1107.
Photo caption: (Courtesy image of logo for the 10th annual An American Celebration! at Strawbery Banke Museum)
On Monday, July 4, Strawbery Banke Museum rings with an event and fun-filled family commemoration of the nation’s 235th birthday. The 10th annual An American Celebration! event takes place at the Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes Revolutionary War re-enactors, a visit from Abe Lincoln, an insider’s view of the shipyard where the new Gundalow is being built and nearly every kid’s activity imaginable.
From games and contests to kite flying to bubble-blowing plus a treasure hunt, the ever-popular 1940s candy counter and Victorian fairy houses, this is a day dedicated to family fun. The traditional Children’s Bike & Wagon Parade starts at 2:30 p.m. and children are invited to come early to decorate their entries between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Strawbery Banke Museum will also remember its role as the keeper of 400 years of Portsmouth history with historic house tours where costumed role-players welcome visitors to their eras, plus colonial hearth-cooking demonstrations and artisans at work in the cooper’s shed and potters’ shop. Visitors can participate in crafts, Children’s Garden activities and observe the Museum’s onsite archaeology excavation.
An American Celebration begins this year with the US Naturalization ceremony, welcoming new citizens to the public for the first time. “An American Celebration at Strawbery Banke is a family event that salutes what Independence Day really means,” said Lawrence J. Yerdon, President of Strawbery Banke Museum. “From welcoming new citizens to welcoming our neighbors and visitors, An American Celebration is a commemoration of the nation’s founding and the parts the people of Portsmouth played, a recognition of past challenges and opportunities and a rousing reaffirmation of what life in these United States means to us today.”
No American 4th of July would be complete without great food and great music and An American Celebration features both of those. Vendors will offer hot dogs, lobster rolls, milkshakes, watermelon, salads and cookies along with selections from Googies Sandwich Shoppe and Dos Amigos Burritos.
New this year is the First Annual Seacoast Professional Pie Baking Competition. Professional bakers from restaurants and bakeries around the area will each supply two pies: one for sampling by the judges and the other to be raffled off to benefit the museum’s historical cooking programs. The Bedford Big Band will present live swing music and popular favorites all day.
An American Celebration is the focal point of Independence Day celebrations on the seacoast and is one of Strawbery Banke Museum’s signature events, drawing thousands of visitors who mix comfortably across the 10-acre campus. Admission to An American Celebration is free to children under 17 thanks to sponsorship from BAE Systems. As a member of the Blue Star Museums program, Strawbery Banke Museum admits active duty military and their families free at all times. Museum members are also admitted free of charge. Adult tickets are $15 and available in advance on the Strawbery Banke website, www.strawberybanke.org or by calling 603-433-1107.
Photo caption: (Courtesy image of logo for the 10th annual An American Celebration! at Strawbery Banke Museum)
