Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Location: William Paca House & Garden; Museum of Historic Annapolis; Hogshead; Waterfront Warehouse
Time: 10:30 am (EDT) - 2:30 pm (EDT)
The day will begin with an inspiring Naturalization Ceremony at 9 am – more information about that event here.
Then, join Historic Annapolis for a 4th of July Celebration at the William Paca House & Garden, Hogshead Trades Museum, Waterfront Warehouse and the Museum of Historic Annapolis! Explore our historic sites as they are brought to life by our living history volunteers and special guests.
Your admission includes entry to four HA sites: the William Paca House & Garden, Hogshead Trades Museum, the Museum of Historic Annapolis, and the Waterfront Warehouse!
Admission at the Paca House & Garden will be by timed entry. You may visit the sites in any order, but please plan to visit the Paca House within the half hour of your timed entry.
Advance registration recommended.
Cost: $12 General Admission; $8 HA Members & Volunteers and Military; $5 Children (3-17); Free for Children 2 and under
William Paca House and Garden
Advance, timed entry registration is required for this site. Entry will be offered every half-hour. Walk-ins will be accommodated only as space permits.
Visit the house and garden as our living historian volunteers bring the historic site to life. Enjoy special family-friendly activities like a garden hunt and patriotic crafts, and explore the 2-acre garden, a restful oasis nestled in the heart of bustling Annapolis.
Meet Frederick Douglass and hear an excerpt from his speech, “For What to a Slave is the Fourth of July”. Nathan Richardson, renowned Frederick Douglass
re-enactor will speak to Frederick Douglass’s life, share his beliefs, recalling his travels, and his books.
Times for Presentation: FREE: 10:30 am Front Steps of the Paca House
With program admission: 11:30 am or 12:30 pm
Activities:
- Signing the Declaration of Independence: Add your own John Hancock!
- Make a patriotic craft
- Star Spangled Patriotic (temporary) tattoo
Accessibility Considerations: Accessing the interior of the William Paca House requires ascending and descending several flights of stairs. Visitors with limited mobility can access the brick Paca Garden Terrace via the driveway of the Paca House. A single use accessible restroom can be accessed by a ramp. The upper portion of the garden can be accessed via a ramp with handrails, but please note
that garden pathways are loose pea gravel and steps must be traversed to access the lower levels of the garden.
Museum of Historic Annapolis
Step into our American Story at the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Enjoy an inspiring film and explore three floors of interactive exhibits where you’ll discover diverse stories and amazing objects that represent over 400 years of our shared history! Visitors can make a patriotic craft.
Accessibility Considerations: An accessible entrance is available, located to the right of the building’s main entrance. All levels of the Museum, including the restrooms, are accessible via the elevator.
Hogshead Trades Museuem
Take a short walk down Pinkney Street to Hogshead, where you’ll find colonial tradespeople who have just learned about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. What might it mean for these hardworking people?
Accessibility Considerations: Access to Hogshead requires ascending and descending two flights of stairs.
The Waterfront Warehouse
Visit a rare surviving example of a small Annapolis waterfront warehouse from the 18th century. Today, you’ll discover the model of our city, circa the late 18th century, featuring a bird’s-eye view of the historic landscape.
Accessibility Considerations: Access to the Waterfront Warehouse requires ascending and descending two steps.
Cancellation and Refund Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to cancel or alter any programs. Unless otherwise stated, all tickets are non-refundable.
Photography Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to take photographs and video footage of people of all ages at Historic Annapolis-sponsored events for publicity. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please opt out by notifying Historic Annapolis staff.
Presenter Bio:
Nathan M. Richardson is a published author, performance poet and Frederick Douglass Historian. He is the author of four collections of poetry and teaches a variety of workshops for emerging writers and spoken word artists. Nathan is now in the 10th year of The Frederick Douglass Speaking Tour – a living history performance that captures completely the physical, spiritual and intellectual essence of the former slave, writer, orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Nathan is a Chautauqua Scholar with living history performances at The White House Visitors Center, American Studies Programs at Christopher Newport University, Founding Forward at Valley Forge, PA and other universities across the country. The Frederick Douglass Speaking Tour is a feature on American Cruise Lines (Small Ship Historic Cruises). Mr. Richardson has film credits with the National Park Service and Alabama Public Television. You can learn more about Nathan Richardson and his work at www.scpublishing.com