Independence Day Celebration Held at Historic Richmond Town 7/4

Longing for summers past, when children ran through the grass, parents relaxed on the porch, and grandparents talked about bygone days. Turn back the hands of time with an old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration at Historic Richmond Town on Sunday, July 4th, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

New York City's only living history village and museum complex celebrates our freedom with demonstrations by skilled craftspeople, old-time games, a Pinwheel Parade, music-and more. The entire family can deepen their patriotism as they learn how life on Staten Island changed after that fateful day-July 4th, 1776.

Highlights of our annual Independence Day Celebration include:

Come early and tour "Bringing Up Baby: Children's Furniture and Family Life," the newest exhibit in the Historical Museum. Reminisce amid the chairs, cradles and carriages from the 18th to the early 20th centuries.
Visit the blacksmith throughout the day.
Children are invited to make Patriotic Pinwheels from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Be prepared to sign a Loyalty Oath to King George or face the consequences! See a copy of the Loyalty Oath signed by Island residents in the 1700's.
See a Cooking Demonstration from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the circa 1740s Guyon Lake Tysen House.
Play a Victorian parlor game at the Stephens-Black House-Tableaux Vivant-and show your theatrical side by creating living patriotic images (similar to Charades but without the miming) at 3:00 p.m.
Cheer on the contestants, or be oNe Yourself, in our Pie Baking Contest, starting at 3:30 p.m. You can contribute your own pie to the contest. Just make sure it's here by 3:15 p.m. Those bringing pies must include a sign listing their name, and the type of pie.
With Pinwheels in hand, the pinwheel parade will be led by 1800s-style fife and drum players dressed in authentic style.
Children of all ages follow the music in a parade through the historic village. The parade begins at 4:15 p.m.
Then earn an old-time treat by taking a turn at cranking a hand-powered ice cream maker. Ice cream samples available after the parade.

This day-long celebration is available at Historic Richmond Town's regular admission price:

Adults: $5.00
Seniors: $4.00
Children 5-17 $3.50
Staten Island Historical Members: Free

MORE TO DO THIS SUMMER AT HISTORIC RICHMOND TOWN:

FATHER'S DAY BRUNCH SERVED AT THE BENNETT CAFÉ
Sunday, June 20 - One seating 11:00 a.m. $15 per person.
Reservations a must - Call 718-448-6636 by June 15.

SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
FOLLOWING IN OUR FOREFATHERS' FOOTSTEPS
Just like Dad, but 300 years ago...Try your hand at splitting wood with wooden wedges, using a froe and mallet, and starting fire with flint and steel. Learn to write with a quill pen and test your strength against the crank of an ice-cream churn. Meet the blacksmith and tour the mil and the Historical Museum to view what other early American Dads did. Regular village admission.

SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 7:090 TO 9:00 P.M.
SQUARE DANCING
AleMo West hosts a casual square dance in the Third County Courthouse,. All ages welcome. No partner, no experience needed. The number of dancers will be limited, so please make reservations in advance. For more information, call (718) 351-9150, or e-mail bnkanter@verizon.net. $5 Adults/1 child free with each dancing adult.

2-WEEK APPRENTICE PROGRAM
Monday-Friday, July 5-9 and July 12-16
For children 11-14.
Time travel to an era in America's past when people made most everything they needed by hand. Apprenticeships are available in Tinsmithing, Basketmaking, Blacksmithing, Cooking, and Spinning for an opportunity to do an intensive exploration of a trade or activity of the past
$375, $350 for members of the Staten Island Historical Society.
Call (718) 351-1611, Ext. 281 for reservations and information.

SATURDAY, JULY 17, 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
TRADITIONAL DINNER
Savor the flavors of the past! Enjoy a meal served outdoors by costumed historical interpreters, featuring early American foods, including fire-roasted meats, brick oven baked bread, freshly churned butter, seasonal vegetables, salads, and fruit pies. Live music will round out the festivities!
Prepaid reservations required. $75/person, $50/SIHS Members. Call (718) 351-1611, Ext. 281.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY DAY
See demonstrations of open hearth cooking, blacksmithing, and spinning. Try your hand at quill pen writing and old-fashioned games. Explore furnished interiors of buildings from the 1690's through the 1890's.
Presented by Time Warner Cable and thanks to the support of Councilman Vincent Ignizio.
FREE Admission

SATURDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY, September 4, 5, & 6, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
RICHMOND COUNTY FAIR

For more information, please visit our website at: www.HistoricRichmondTown.org

The mission of the Staten Island Historical Society is to create opportunities for the public to explore the diversity of the American experience, especially that of Staten Island and its neighboring communities from the colonial period to the present. Historic Richmond Town is a joint project of the independent Staten Island Historical Society and the City of New York through the Department of Cultural Affairs, and is a member of the Historic House Trust.

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