A Patriotic Past

A Patriotic Past- by Laura Markley

Each year as the 4th of July approaches, the telltale signs of of its arrival are all around.  Firework stores are sell out and lake cottages are full to the brim. The History Center decided to celebrate the birth of America by sharing patriotic artifacts from Independence Days in the past. We found quite a few neat objects from different time periods. Some of the artifacts include: a toy replica of Independence Hall, a commemorative plate from the 1876 Centennial, and a commemorative coin from the 1976 Bicentennial.

One of the neatest photos we found was a large poster filled with forty-seven individual photographs to celebrate the Centennial in 1876. There are photographs of past presidents and historic places in Fort Wayne. Notable pictures include, the corner of Main and Calhoun Streets and the first public school.

People love to show their love for our country and their enthusiasm for red, white, and blue extends to a variety of consumer products. This Independence Day themed tablecloth is a festive reminder of how people celebrated the Bicentennial in 1976. The images include American icons such as the liberty bell and eagle among a stars and stripes theme.

My favorite patriotic artifact is a tiny set of wooden earrings. They were made in celebration of the Centennial in 1776, and were made of wood taken from Independence Hall in Philadelphia. In honor of the liberty bell, they were carved into the shape of bells.

Hopefully this post helped to prepare you to celebrate the 4th of July with your own fun patriotic themed items!