Liberty Celebration
July 2-4, 2011
Yorktown Victory Center
A museum of the American Revolution
The Yorktown Victory Center will join in saluting the 235th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence during “Liberty Celebration,” July 2-4.
From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors can interact with Revolutionary War re-enactors, observe tactical and artillery drills, take part in a variety of military exercises, and discover the origins of “American” dishes such as apple pie.
A rare early broadside printing of the Declaration dating to July 1776 is featured in the museum’s Declaration of Independence Gallery. Just outside the museum's galleries, visitors also can enjoy a new sculpture of George Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army and first president of the United States of America.
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| Broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence, co-published in Boston on or about July 18, 1776, by John Gill and Edward E. Powars and Nathaniel Willis. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation collection. |
In the museum's re-created Continental Army encampment, artillery demonstrations will take place at 11:05 a.m., 1:05 and 3:05 p.m. At least one of the demonstrations, at 1:05 p.m., will examine the role of the mortar, a type of artillery that can fire explosive charges over obstacles, at the Siege of Yorktown. At 4:05 p.m. each day, visitors can watch costumed historical interpreters take up arms for a tactical drill and then participate in a wooden musket drill.
At the 1780s farm, visitors can learn about the transition from farmer to soldier as they train as a member of the citizen militia during a special program at 11:35 a.m. each day.
Visitors to the farm kitchen at 12:35 p.m. will learn about the contributions of European, American Indian and African cultures to American cooking, and about the origins of apple pie and other “American” dishes.
At 3:35 p.m., a special program explores the importance of the tobacco economy in the 18th century. At 5:05 p.m., farm visitors can try 18th-century games, such as quoits, mancala, and hoop and stick.
Yorktown Victory Center visitors can start their experience along an outdoor timeline to gain insight to the events that led to the conflict between the American colonies and Britain. Indoors in the Witnesses to Revolution Gallery, visitors can hear firsthand accounts of the war’s impact on everyday people of the 18th century, including Africans, American Indians and women – for whom the concepts of liberty and equality did not apply. Visitors also can learn about the movements of British, American and French troops that converged on Yorktown in 1781 and take in “A Time of Revolution,” a film shown every 30 minutes in the museum theater. Exhibits also examine the development of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and how people from many different cultures shaped a new society.
Admission to the Yorktown Victory Center is $9.50 for adults and $5.25 for youth ages 6 through 12. A 20 percent savings is available with a value-priced combination ticket with Jamestown Settlement, a museum of 17th-century Virginia. Various package and ticket options are available online with Williamsburg area attractions. Event activities are sponsored in part by a grant from Dominion Resources.
The Yorktown Victory Center’s “Liberty Celebration” daytime events complement the Yorktown Fourth of July Celebration taking place in historic Yorktown on July 4.
The Yorktown Victory Center is located on Route 1020 near the Colonial Parkway in Yorktown. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through August 15, parking at the Yorktown Victory Center is free for museum visitors. A free shuttle service is available during museum operating hours to historic Yorktown and other Williamsburg area attractions.
For more information, call (888) 593-4682 toll free or (757) 253-4838.
Liberty Celebration
July 2-4, 2011
Yorktown Victory Center
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Schedule of Events
All Day
Museum Galleries
Explore extensive museum galleries to learn about the people and the alliances during the American Revolution that helped make victory possible for the Continental Army. Take in the film, A Time of Revolution, shown every 30 minutes in the museum theater.
11:05 a.m.
Artillery
Continental Army encampment
Become part of an 18th-century artillery crew while pracicing the dry firing of an artillery piece. Then, cover your ears as the Continental Army crew fires a salute to our nation's founders.
11:35 a.m.
Militia Drill
1780s Tidewater farm
Fulfill one of your duties as a citizen and train as a member of the Virginia militia.
12:35 p.m.
English as Apple Pie
1780s Tidewater farm
How American is apple pie? Learn how European, American Indian and African cultures have shaped American cooking, and about the origins of apple pie and other "American" dishes.
1:05 p.m.
Mortar Demonstration
Continental Army encampment
Learn about the effectiveness of a siege weapon like ones used at Yorktown. Join the mortar crew while practicing the dry firing and then cover your ears as the Continental Army crew fires the mortar.
3:05 p.m.
Artillery
Continental Army encampment
Become part of an 18th-century artillery crew while pracicing the dry firing of an artillery piece. Then, cover your ears as the Continental Army crew fires a salute to our nation's founders.
3:35p.m.
Tobacco Economy
1780s Tidewater farm
Discover the importance of the tobacco economy during the American Revolution.
4:05 p.m.
Tactical Drill
Continental Army encampment
See how Continental soldiers prepared for battle as you watch costumed historical interpreters drill according to General von Steuben’s manual of arms. Then, grab a wooden musket and fall in line as you begin your military career as a Continental soldier.
5:05 p.m.
18th-Century Games
1780s Tidewater farm
Try your hand at period games, such as quoits, mancala, and hoop and stick.
Yorktown Victory Center
Route 1020 & Colonial Parkway • Yorktown, VA
(757) 253-4838 • (888) 593-4682
Funding for activities made possible in part by a grant from Dominion Resources.
