Join Historic Annapolis for our Fourth of July Festival! Experience a full day of history, celebration, and family-friendly fun as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence! 

One ticket gives you access to three sites: the William Paca House and Garden, Hogshead Trades Museum, and the Museum of Historic Annapolis.  

This program is funded in part by the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, and Annapolis250 Celebration, Inc.

William Paca House and Garden: 

Visitors can enjoy 30-minute guided tours of the William Paca House, featuring the Annapolis Living Historians. Hear what William Paca and his contemporaries might have thought about the bold decision to declare independence. 

The festivities continue in the Paca Garden with face painting, refreshments and patriotic crafts for all ages. Cool off in our Colonial Beer Garden and enjoy live music from Peter Brice and the New Century Irish-Arts Company.  

Get hands-on at the Revolutionary Trades Showcase, where we highlight the everyday skills that helped fuel independence. Try printing pamphlets that spread revolutionary ideas, learn about healing herbs, sew stars, and practice writing colonial-style letters. Have your silhouette created in the Summer House for a unique keepsake! 

Special Feature: Meet Frederick Douglass and hear an excerpt from his speech, “For What to a Slave is the Fourth of July”.  Nathan Richardson, renowned Frederick Douglass reenactor will give a FREE presentation at 1:00 pm on the Front Steps of the Paca House. 

Accessibility Considerations: Accessing the interior of the William Paca House requires ascending and descending several flights of stairs. Visitors with limited mobility can access the brick Paca Garden Terrace via the driveway of the Paca House. A single-use accessible restroom can be accessed by a ramp. The upper portion of the garden can be accessed via a ramp with handrails, but please note that garden pathways are loose pea gravel and steps must be traversed to access the lower levels of the garden. 

Museum of Historic Annapolis: 

Step into our American Story at the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Enjoy an inspiring film and explore three floors of interactive exhibits where you’ll discover diverse stories and amazing objects that represent over 400 years of our shared history!   

Meet Frederick Douglass and hear an excerpt from his speech, “For What to a Slave is the Fourth of July”.  Nathan Richardson, renowned Frederick Douglass reenactor, will speak to Frederick Douglass’s life, share his beliefs, and recall his travels and his books. 

Presentations of Meet Frederick Douglass offered at 2 pm and 3 pm.   

Accessibility Considerations: An accessible entrance is available, located to the right of the building’s main entrance. All levels of the Museum, including the restrooms, are accessible via the elevator.   

Hogshead Trades Museum 

Celebrate America 250 with the lively sounds of the Revolutionary era! Stop by Hogshead Trades Museum and enjoy traditional fiddle music and discover how music was used during the American Revolution for entertainment, marching, and morale. Dance and sing along to “Yankee Doodle” as you learn the surprising origins of this beloved patriotic tune. 

Accessibility Considerations: Access to Hogshead requires ascending and descending two flights of stairs.

Cost: Advance Purchase (through June 30) – $15 general admission; $10 for HA Members (and military); $5 Children 3-17 (free for under 3)

One ticket gives you access to ALL THREE sites. All Prices will increase by $5 on July 1st!

About our Presenters:

• Nathan M. Richardson is a published author, performance poet and Frederick Douglass Historian. He is the author of four collections of poetry and teaches a variety of workshops for emerging writers and spoken word artists. Nathan is now in the 14th year of The Frederick Douglass Speaking Tour – a living history performance that captures completely the physical, spiritual and intellectual essence of the former slave, writer, orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Nathan is a Chautauqua Scholar with more than 500 living history performances across the country.
• The New Century American Irish-Arts Company is a private, not for profit corporation dedicated to the artistic furtherance, cultivation, and preservation of Irish traditional music and dancing in the United States. They help traditional musicians, dancers, teachers, and researchers produce vocational work that brings traditional culture to the public.
• Lauren Muney of Silhouettes By Hand has been a professional artist, entertainer, special-event producer, and consultant for over 35 years. Alongside her graphic illustration degree from a leading arts college, her experience with live events of all types ranges across the United States, Canada, Australia, and in Asia and Europe.
• Annapolis Living Historians are highly researched, historically accurate living historians who interpret people of the past. They support Historic Annapolis as volunteers at our sites and events.

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to cancel or alter any programs. Unless otherwise stated, all tickets are non-refundable. 

Photography Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to take photographs and video footage of people of all ages at Historic Annapolis-sponsored events for publicity. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please opt out by notifying Historic Annapolis staff.