Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Artillery Firings, Hands-On History, Old-Fashioned Cookout, Immersive Exhibits, and In-Depth Look at the Declaration of Independence

YORKTOWN, Va., June 22, 2026 – This Fourth of July, celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with signature exhibitions and patriotic events at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

It’s the perfect time to catch the revolutionary spirit at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, where the full story of the nation’s fight for independence and the shaping of the nation unfolds through the personal stories of ordinary citizens and soldiers caught up in the Revolution.

Day and evening festivities for America’s birthday invite visitors to soak up America’s shared story through experiential civic lessons in immersive gallery exhibits, hands-on interpretive programs, and booming artillery demonstrations. Discover the challenges that faced our nation’s founders, including those who signed the Declaration of Independence, as well as those for whom the new nation’s rights of freedom and liberty did not yet apply.

The icing on the cake is the rare opportunity to view two copies of the Declaration of Independence – an early July 1776 broadside printing and an 1833 engrossed printing from the engraved plate of W.J. Stone, both in the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation collection.

Indoors and out, visitors can enjoy these Fourth of July experiences:

“Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation”
VA250 Signature Exhibition – Opening July 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Virginia was the oldest, largest, wealthiest, and most populous of Britain’s American colonies. Virginians – through their ideas, influence and efforts – helped forge a new American nation. Centering on the Declaration of Independence and its influence on the nation, discover how Virginia’s leaders were central to the American Revolution and the expansion of liberties among Virginians of every class, Indigenous peoples, and free and enslaved African Americans. As the signature exhibition of the VA250 Commission featuring 60+ original artifacts, reproductions and multimedia, examine the continental and global forces as well as the actions of both iconic and ordinary people that brought about a model of democratic government that changed the world and discover the complex, diverse and inspiring Virginia history which is, in fact, America’s story.

Liberty Celebration
Daytime Special Event – July 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It’s a full day of red, white and boom! Join in the celebration with artillery firings, period cooking, the Great American Fourth of July Sing-Along, and a performance by the Fifes & Drums of York Town. Indoors, catch “Liberty Fever,” an award-winning film, add your thoughts to the “Liberty Tree,” and share your wish for America’s 250th on a Wish Wall, a Civics Season activity.

Star-Spangled Cookout
Ticketed Evening Event – July 4, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Relish an evening of old-fashioned Fourth-of-July Americana with traditional cookout fare of hot dogs, hamburgers and all the fixings, accompanied by music, puppet shows, crafts and competitions. The event concludes with an artillery salute to our nation signaling time to take in Historic Yorktown’s firework festivities. Tickets are $45 for adults, $25 for youth and free for ages 2 and under. Discount for museum members.

“Fresh Views of the American Revolution”
Special Exhibition through August 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Discover new perspectives on the ideals and legacies of the Revolution through the folk art of Oscar de Mejo created during the 1976 Bicentennial juxtaposed with contemporary voices. View more than a dozen paintings of de Mejo’s work in the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation collection, including “The Declaration of Independence, 1776.” Explore questions about the nature of liberty, freedom, equality and revolutionary sentiments to interpret the meanings of this never-ending American Revolution.

Admission

Daytime events and exhibits are included with museum admission: $21.00 for adults, $11.00 for youth ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under. A value-priced combination ticket with Jamestown Settlement, a museum of 17th-century Virginia, is $34.00 for adults and $17.00 for ages 6-12. Residents of York County, James City County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive complimentary admission with proof of residency. Tickets and membership programs are available online or in person at both museums.

About the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown & Fourth of July in Historic Yorktown

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, along with its museum shop and café, is located on 200 Water Street (Route 1020) in Yorktown. Parking at the museum is free for museum visitors. On July 4, the Yorktown Trolley will offer free shuttle service to Historic Yorktown for its Fourth of July Celebration.

A commemorative partner of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission marking the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the museum is administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an educational agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

For more information, visit jyfmuseums.org/july4th.

###

Media Contact
Tracy Perkins, tracy.perkins@jyf.virginia.gov or (757) 253-4114

Image Captions (shown from left)

A Star-Spangled Cookout, 6-8:30 p.m. on July 4 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, traditional cookout fare, accompanied by music, puppet shows and crafts. Separate admission. Visit Williamsburg photo.

“Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation,” the VA250 Signature Exhibition at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, features an engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence, printed in Washington, D.C. in 1833, from the W. J. Stone engraved plate of 1823. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation JYF2024.14.

On July 4, celebrate with red, white and boom! Artillery firings during Liberty Celebration at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will salute America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., weather permitting. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation photo.

“Fresh Views of the American Revolution” special exhibition at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown features art by Oscar de Mejo for the 1976 Bicentennial juxtaposed with contemporary works. Shown is The Declaration of Independence, 1776 by Oscar de Mejo, 1973, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation YG86.3.3.