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Historic Annapolis Foundation announces that the home of William Paca, Maryland signer of the Declaration of Independence, will host approximately 50 new American citizens at a naturalization ceremony on Friday, July 4, 2008 as a part of the Foundation’s annual Independence Day celebration. The new citizens will take their oath on the terrace of the William Paca House and Garden at 186 Prince George Street from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend; however, seating is very limited.
Many young people are taking part in the ceremony, including Annapolis-area Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, who are serving as color guard. Representing Gov. Martin O’Malley, Mr. Kevin McGuire, the Executive Director of the Family Investment Administration, and Ms. Pat Hatch, Program Manager for the Maryland Office for New Americans (MONA), will speak. After the oath of citizenship is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services representatives, the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis will culminate the festivities by singing the national anthem and several patriotic songs.
At the conclusion of the Naturalization Ceremony, a public celebration for Independence Day will take place at William Paca House and Garden from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The free, public activities scheduled include special tours of the house, re-enactments, readings, and children’s crafts.
The William Paca House will be open for free tours during the event. Volunteers in each exhibit room will offer additional information regarding life in Annapolis at the time of the Revolutionary War and William Paca’s political career leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Following the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, people heard the document in its entirety from town criers who would read the declaration aloud. At this year’s festivities, re-enactor Myron Peterson will read the Declaration of Independence at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to honor William Paca and the other three Maryland signers, Samuel Chase, Charles Carroll, and Thomas Stone. After each reading, the First Maryland Regiment will fire a musket volley.
Outside, in the William Paca Garden, re-enactors will bring history to life in demonstrations of military and civilian life during the Revolution. Members of the First Maryland Regiment represent what daily life was like for Continental Line soldiers and women and children who followed them to camp. Longhunter Scout William brings his trade display of furs, hides, and camping equipment to illustrate frontier life in Colonial days. James Madison, portrayed by living historian James Inzeo, explains the significance of the Declaration of Independence and philosophies that inspired his friend Thomas Jefferson in a presentation entitled "We Remember the Fourth: James Madison Reflects on the Declaration of Independence."
In addition to the tour and living history activities, children can sign their own copy of the Declaration of Independence with a traditional quill pen and create other crafts. A Garden Scavenger Hunt encourages young and old to enjoy the plants and buildings reconstructed in the Paca Garden.
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Saturday, July 12, 2008 - Wondering how to manage that expanse of green stuff in your yard? What to do about bare spots, crabgrass, grubs and more? Roger Galvin, Paca Garden's Head Gardener, will cove... More
Thursday, July 24, 2008 - Doors Open at 5:30 p.m.
Music from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Come hear contemporary music in a centuries old garden! July gets hot and jazz quartet, SPICE, will be st... More
Thursday, August 21, 2008 - Thursday, August 21, 2008
Paca Garden Concert
Artist to be announced.
Doors Open at 5:30 p.m.
Music from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Come hear contemporary ... More
Thursday, June 26, 2008 - Join Historic Annapolis Foundation for contemporary music in a centuries-old garden! July gets hot and jazz quartet, SPICE, will be stirring things up in the William... More
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