Maine Historical Society Celebrates America's 250th

Start your Independence Day morning in the heart of Portland at City Hall Plaza and the Maine Historical Society campus! Celebrate 250 years of American independence with music, holiday-themed refreshments, and a unique opportunity to view MHS's rare copy of the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence — exactly 250 years to the day after it was printed in Philadelphia.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m., gather with friends, neighbors, and community members at City Hall Plaza for a stirring performance of the National Anthem and historic and patriotic songs by Julia Haven. Julia is a Cumberland, Maine artist and American Idol finalist known for her powerhouse vocals and rising national profile. 

Join the crowd to continue the celebration just a few blocks down Congress Street at Maine Historical Society, free and open to the public from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

• Enjoy relaxed conversation in the beautiful Longfellow Garden with complimentary refreshments.
• Take in a lively selection of Americana music performed by Norumbega Brass.
• Step inside our 2026 signature exhibition, Pathways to Freedom: Maine Stories of the American Revolution. Reserve your 30-minute time block now or look for openings when you arrive.
• View and get your photo taken next to MHS's rare historic copy of the Declaration of Independence, on its final day in Portland before it travels statewide. 
• Experience what life was like during the American Revolution at the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, a National Historic Landmark built in 1786. Reserve your 30-minute time block now or look for openings when you arrive.
• Enjoy MHS Store shopping discounts, giveaways, and a special membership promotion.