As part of the Conference House’s America250 series, this signature event commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary at the very site where history unfolded.  

This signature America250 event commemorates the historic 1776 Peace Conference with a full-day public program featuring a live reenactment of the negotiations, bringing to life the diplomatic tensions and conversations that shaped the Revolutionary era. In addition to the reenactment, visitors will experience immersive 18th-century demonstrations, including period-appropriate crafts, military drills, domestic life activities, and interpretive presentations that illuminate daily life during the Revolutionary period. Interactive educational programming and family-friendly activities will further engage audiences in exploring the political and social context of 1776. This cornerstone event of the America250 series offers a dynamic, hands-on opportunity to connect with the nation’s founding history on the very site where it unfolded.

11:00 A.M. – Opening Ceremony featuring the Staten Island Bagpipers and a reading of the Declaration of Independence

1:00 P.M. – Peace Conference Reenactment featuring Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Edward Rutledge, and Admiral Lord Howe

Enjoy a full day of history, tradition, and family fun, including:

• Snack stand
• Outdoor museum displays
• 18th-century crafts and trade demonstrations (print shop, tin smith, woodworking, spinners, quilters)
• Colonial music
• Auxiliary open-hearth cooking demonstrations with free recipes
• Colonial kitchen garden
• Children’s activities
• Conference House Gift Shop