BEYOND THE CAPITAL
The semiquincentennial extends well beyond Washington into Virginia and Maryland.
Fourth of July, Mount Vernon
Credit: Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
Virginia’ s free 250 Passport program offers discounts and prize opportunities at attractions statewide, including Mount Vernon. Arlington, just across the Potomac River from Washington and served by 11 Metro stations, is promoting itself as a convenient gateway for visitors. In addition to landmarks such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial, the Pentagon Memorial, and the Pentagon itself, Arlington offers historical attractions, including the Arlington Historical Museum and the circa-1750 Ball-Sellers House.
Alexandria, founded decades before the Declaration of Independence, celebrates its 277th birthday on July 11 at Oronoco Bay Park with live music, food, and fireworks. The city’ s historic Old Town, waterfront setting, and easy access to Washington via water taxi make it a popular base for visitors. The city’ s“ Key to the City” pass includes admission to 11 historic attractions along with discounts to Mount Vernon and river cruises.
Alexandria’ s Lyceum museum anchors many America 250 programs, including lectures and exhibits featuring artifacts and oral histories. Nearby Fort Ward Museum presents Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy, commemorating the Navy’ s 1775 founding.
At Mount Vernon, George Washington’ s estate introduces the interactive exhibit George Washington: A Revolutionary Life, connecting the first president’ s world to modern America. Visitors can also experience a replica Continental Army encampment with hands-on activities, while new transportation options include shuttle service from Alexandria and sightseeing cruises from Washington’ s Wharf.
Farther south at Fort Belvoir, the National Museum of the United States Army debuts Call to Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War, featuring realistic figures of America’ s first Soldiers, surrounded by more than 285 artifacts that few have ever seen. The rare pieces of history are joined by a new augmented reality exhibit presented by The Army Historical Foundation that drops visitors into 360-degree recreations of the historical moments that forged American democracy.
Clare Romano Grand Canyon, 1977 color collagraph on wove paper National Gallery of Art Gift of Bob Stana and Tom Judy
In Loudoun County, northwest of Washington, breweries are joining the celebration with commemorative beers, including LoCo Lion Brewery’ s Colonial Cheer Black Lager and British Retreat Wheat Ale.
Maryland’ s semiquincentennial plans include planting tulip poplar trees grown from seedlings tied to the state’ s original Liberty Tree. The state is also encouraging outdoor exploration through the Miles for Maryland challenge, which rewards visitors who hike 250 miles across Maryland state parks.
Annapolis has launched its Be Revolutionary: America250 Exploration Trail Pass, guiding visitors to 50 historic sites, including the Maryland State House, where George Washington resigned his Continental Army commission and the Treaty of Paris was ratified in 1783. A new bronze monument honoring Black Maryland soldiers of the Revolutionary War debuts there this summer.
Baltimore’ s Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore, June 24 – 30, brings tall ships and Navy Blue Angels flyovers to the harbor. Nearby Fort McHenry, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write what became the
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