Step Back in Time: Free 19th-Century Independence Day Celebration at Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek

Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek will host a unique and immersive Independence Day experience on Sunday, June 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., offering a historical celebration inspired by 19th-century American traditions. The free outdoor event invites visitors to enjoy old-fashioned games, live history demonstrations, and hands-on activities suitable for all ages.

Set on the scenic grounds of the castle at 10051 Township Road 47, the program features period-style events such as a cake decorating contest, cricket games, interactive history storytelling, and musket demonstrations. Guests can also try their hand at making 1880s-style “daylight firecrackers,” explore a “Let’s Play” exhibit tent, and enjoy a slice of traditional “Independence Cake” while supplies last.

The day will include dramatic readings, including Longfellow’s “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” a reenactment of the humorous 1840 short story “Peter Pepperton’s Fourth o’ July Triumph,” and a ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence. The event will conclude with prize announcements and a celebratory cannon sendoff.

Funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Commission through the Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities, this celebration is part of a larger project titled From Mekoche to Mac-A-Cheek: Identity & Place, which explores local and national history.

Regular castle tours will also be available from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for standard admission prices.

For more details, visit www.piattcastle.org or follow the Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities online.

Full Program