- This event has passed.
Independence Day Celebration
July 4, 2022 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Free – $10.00Tickets will be available onsite all day on July 4th!Â
Celebrate the 246th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with some good old-fashioned family fun at Thomas Jefferson’s Bedford County retreat. Enjoy colonial-style entertainment, demonstrations by colonial artisans and craftspeople, archaeological displays, old-fashioned children’s activities, pony rides, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and more! Grounds admission to Independence Day festivities is $10 for adults; children 15 and under are free. Guided tours of the octagonal villa are available for an additional fee day-of only.
July 4th Activities:Â
Reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:30 p.m. with Thomas JeffersonÂ
House Tours offered throughout the day.Â
Tickets can be purchased on site the day of the event only.Â
Tickets are limited, make sure to get your house tour tickets early!Â
Adults (18+): $8, Youth (6-17): $5, Child (5 and under): Free
Blue Star Military Families and Poplar Forest Members: FreeÂ
Timed Activities:
African American Folktales, Songs, and Story Telling with Dylan Pritchett (12:30 and 3:30)
Brickmaking Demonstrations (11:00, 12:15, 2:30 and 3:30)
Colonial Magician Jonathan Austin (11:15, 12:30, and 2:15)
Enslaved Community Talks (12:15 and 2:15)
Handmade History Demonstrations (11:15, 12:30 and 2:30)
Music Performances by Pete and Ellen Vigour (10:30, 12:30 and 3:30)
Music Performances by The Traveling Music Museum (11:30, 1:00, 2:30)
“The Declaration of Independence: A Historical Reflection” talk by David Dietrich (12:00)
“The House that John Built” talk by CJ Frost, Restoration Supervisor (2:30)
Ongoing Activities:
Museum Shop Sale (20% off)Â
Archaeology Field School
Basket Making
Blacksmith
Blue Ridge Daughters of the American Revolution Flag HandoutÂ
Bucket Making
Colonial Flag Display
Common Stock Entertainments
Hill City Master Gardeners in Interpretive Garden
Historical Instrument Demonstrations
Pouch and Horn Makers
Pony Rides
Spinning DemonstrationsÂ
Food Vendors: Kona Ice, El Cabrito’s, Upper Crust Pizza