Learn about Declaration of Independence

FREMONT — As America celebrates its 250th birthday on Saturday, July 4, visitors to the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont can learn about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence and life in colonial America during two special programs. Historian Josh Dubbert will present two talks about the Revolutionary War era the morning of Independence Day in the museum history lab. The programs are included with admission, which is deeply discounted for non-members to $2.50 for the semiquincentennial celebration and free to Hayes Presidential members. From 10-10:30 a.m. and again from 11:30 a.m. to noon, Dubbert will discuss Life in Colonial America. In today's landscape of gas stations, strip malls, fast-food restaurants and all other manner of stops along the highways of America, it can be hard to conceive that when the first white settlers, who voyaged across the ocean to this continent, they met a vast wilderness populated by a multitude of Indigenous cultures and without any of the conveniences of home. This program looks at the evolution of daily life in the colonies from the arrival of Columbus to the formation of the U.S. Then from 10:30-11 a.m. and again from noon to 12:30 p.m., Dubbert will discuss Signers of the Declaration of Independence. In 1776, 56 delegates representing each of the 13 colonies signed what would become one of the most daring, revolutionary and complex documents in human history. Had the Revolutionary War been lost, the Declaration of Independence would have served as a death warrant for these men. In this program, several of these American revolutionaries will be discussed, highlighting some of the well-known and lesser-known signers and their roles before and after the winning of independence for the U.S. These programs are part of the day-long America 250-Ohio Picnic and Independence Day Celebration. The festivities include: • A picnic to enjoy on the lawn or purchasing food truck fare at the grove • The annual Independence Day Concert performed by the Toledo Concert Band, featuring members of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra • Discounted admission for site passes to tour the Hayes Home and museum • Games and crafts • Historical talks • A dedication of the new USS Spiegel Grove bell display On this day, the museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours. Hayes Home tours begin at 9:30 a.m., will last a half hour and cover the first floor of the home only. The tours will include information about President Rutherford B. Hayes' ancestors and their ties to colonial and Revolutionary War-era history. The $2.50 site passes include admission to the museum and a timed Hayes Home tour. A limited number of admissions can be purchased in advance at rbhayes.org and searching for "Celebrate America's 250th birthday." The rest will be sold to walk-ins the day of the event. Those who wish to tour just the home or museum can choose to do just one, but the price is still $2.50. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums members are admitted for free.