"America 250" Celebration

Whitemarsh Township Parks & Recreation:

• ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE - Saturday, July 4th, 2026
  Parade route begins at Germantown Pike (near Township Building), Ends at Miles Park
  With over 70 years of tradition, the annual 4th of July Parade is a staple of the Whitemarsh Community. The Parade draws over 3,500 people to Germantown Pike to watch the procession of emergency service vehicles, bands, and other local organizations to Miles Park, where the Lions Club of Whitemarsh partners in hosting a community picnic with food and music.
  
  Afterwards, residents can attend a special Semiquincentennial celebration at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church that starts at 2:00pm. (See event details below.)
  
  
• "FORGOTTEN PATRIOTS: BLACKS & NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR" - Friday, June 19th, 2026 at 12:00pm
  Abolition Hall
  As we celebrate America's 250th birthday and Juneteenth, join local historian Jim Segrave-Daly for a discussion of the important, yet largely forgotten contributions that free Blacks, enslaved people and Native Americans made to America's victory against the British. Whether soldiers, spies or laborers thousands served in both armies, providing vital service during the American Revolution. Jim (www.thelocalhistorygeek.com) has presented to libraries and civic organizations nationwide. He is an active member of the Radnor Historical Society, American Revolution Roundtable of Philadelphia, Founding Forward, America250PA Delco, and a volunteer history teacher.
  
  
• WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP HISTORY TOUR - Fall 2026
  Further details to be announced.
  
  

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church (3025 Church Rd., Lafayette Hill):

• SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL CELEBRATION - Saturday, July 4th, 2026 - Starts at 2:00pm
  St. Peter's Church will hold an outdoor event following the annual Whitemarsh Township Fourth of July Parade, and based around the traditional Independence Day bell-ringing at 2:00pm. Parking available across the street from the church.
  
  
  • After the bell-ringing, there will be a public reading of both the Declaration of Independence and the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen." The latter historic document, written by the Marquis de Lafayette, and based on the Declaration of Independence and his consultation with its author, Thomas Jefferson; was a first draft written amid the French Revolution in the 1790s.
  • There will also be self-guided tours of the St. Peter's Cemetery, where a dozen Revolutionary War veterans are buried, as well as a half-dozen Oneida Scouts who were part of Lafayette's force at the Battle of Barren Hill on May 20, 1778, and fell during the battle.
  • Questions or More Information? Contact John Shiffert at jas2writer@gmail.com, or call 717-569-9211

Historic Hope Lodge:

• COLONIAL FLAX TO LINEN DEMONSTRATION - Sunday, May 17, 2026, 1:00pm-4:00pm
  (Event is FREE in honor of America's 250th.)
  Event Info at: America 250 Event: Colonial Flax to Linen Demonstration — Historic Hope Lodge
  
  
• DECLARING INDEPENDENCE AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL - Sunday, August 2, 2026 - 12:00pm-2:00pm
  Come see and hear a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence and an explanation of framing and philosophy of the document by Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Steven Edenbo. Listen to Fife and Drum Corp. play colonial music, and finish up with an enjoyable ice cream social.
  (FREE Admission)
  Event Info at: America 250 Event: Declaring Independence and Ice Cream Social — Historic Hope Lodge
  
  
• ANNUAL 1777 ENCAMPMENT REENACTMENT - Saturday, November 7, 2026 - 10:00am-4:00pm
  This event commemorates the time from November 2nd to December 11th, 1777, when General George Washington and the Continental Army were encamped in the Whitemarsh Hills. Continental and British soldier re-enactors and living history events. Schedule of events to be announced. 
  (Event Info at: https://www.historichopelodge.org/encampment)