News Release
For Immediate Release: June 22, 2008 – July 4, 2008
National Center for Presidential Studies/
American Presidents Museum
Contact: Stormy Lynn Snow
417-334-8683
2849 Gretna Road, Branson, MO
July 4th Celebration
Includes a Reading of the Declaration of Independence
At the American Presidents Museum
BRANSON, Missouri – Happy Birthday America will ring out across the country with picnics, hot dogs on the grill, sparklers and dramatic fireworks displays will light up the night skies, as we celebrate yet another July 4th. Will your family remember what the celebration is all about?
It is those immortal words of John Adams in a letter written to his wife Abigail, that put into motion the over 230 celebrations to follow, “…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory.” (Taken in part from The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142.)
The American Presidents Museum will commemorate this, the 232nd birthday of the United States and the Declaration of Independence with a four day celebration during Uncle Sam Days, July 1 through July 4.
Visitors will hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence daily, visit with Uncle Sam, sign a giant Declaration of Independence, enjoy the music of the American Kids, and hear American Tales, stories of American History and more.
In addition to the special activities, visitors will be able to tour the museum’s more than one dozen exhibits and view the hundreds of artifacts on display. Of particular importance during this holiday celebration is the Documents of Freedom collection which includes the Declaration of Independence, as well as the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, just three of the 28 documents on display. The documents in the collection are photo-originals, or scans of the actual documents, from the National Archives and Library of Congress.
The museum is also hosting the Laura Ingalls Wilder panel display through the end of July, and the panels are set among the pioneer lifestyle exhibit. In honor of the “Little House on the Prairie” days, there will be a few activities from old-fashioned country fairs will be available for participation, including a frog-jumping contest, as part of the Uncle Sam Days festivities.
Admission to the museum is $10 for adult visitors and children 17 and under, with their family receives free admission. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00PM.
The American Presidents Museum is operated by the National Center for Presidential Studies, a 501c3 non-profit educational organization which provide numerous educational and cultural programs for the communities of SW Missouri.
For more information on Uncle Sam Days, the museum, or supporting the Center’s educational and cultural efforts contact them at 417-334-8683 or visit the website at www.americaspresidency.org.
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