Baltimore Announces Summerlong Celebration to Honor the 200th Anniversary of the Writing of Our National Anthem

BALTIMORE, June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To honor the 200^th anniversary of the writing of our national anthem in its birthplace, Baltimore is bringing American history to life through Star-Spangled Summer featuring Fort! Flag! Fire! at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine and special events and exhibitions citywide from June 13 through September 1.  

A signature element of Baltimore's Star-Spangled Summer is Fort! Flag! Fire! The new living history program, which kicks off June 28, combines three of the most engaging ways to experience Fort McHenry – tours of the historic star fort, cannon firing and hoisting of the grand 30-by-42-foot flag over the ramparts. For a total immersion experience, guests visiting the fort Wednesday through Sunday will encounter living history participants dressed in the uniforms of the soldiers, sailors and civilians from the War of 1812; and there will be fife and drum concerts, cooking demonstrations, and children's activities.

In addition to Fort McHenry, Baltimore features more than 10 sites with direct connections to the War of 1812. Baltimore's Star-Spangled Banner Pass provides discounted admission to three key sites including Fort McHenry, the Maryland Historical Society and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. Only $18.12 for adults, pass holders can stand on the ramparts of Fort McHenry, gaze out to the waters where Francis Scott Key penned our national anthem, view the original manuscript of Key's poem and visit the home of flag maker Mary Pickersgill.

Hotels are also getting in on the savings action, with packages like the Lord Baltimore's "History, Past and Present" package that includes overnight accommodation, two tickets to the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum, two adult water taxi passes for transportation to Fort McHenry, two 1812 Bicentennial Passport/Discount books, to receive stamps at various attractions and redeem a coin and complimentary self-parking. Kimpton's Hotel Monaco in Baltimore is also offering the "Stars and Stripes Ft. Monaco Family Package" that includes a bunk bed room equipped with two double sized beds, one set of bunk beds, an X-box, kids snacks at wine hour plus Red, White and Blue popsicles and "Star Spangled swag" at check in. Additional information can be found by visiting www.baltimore.org/national-anthem.

Here are some of Star-Spangled Summer's top events and exhibitions:

Events
Bicentennial Fife and Drum Muster
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
June 28, 2014
The patriotic summer kicks off with more than 80 musicians performing an afternoon Tattoo ceremony. Participants include units from Fort George, Crown Forces, Fort McHenry and others. www.nps.gov/fomc

Military Tattoo Ceremonies
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
June 28, July 5 and August 2, 2014
Each evening ceremony features a service branch – Army, Navy or U.S. Marine Corps. Precision drill, music and living history make each program unique and memorable. www.nps.gov/fomc

Grand July 4^th Celebration
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
July 4, 2014
Flag talks; cannon firing; parade through Federal Hill; and celebration of the nation's birthday the early-Republic way with toasting, songs and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 3 p.m. www.nps.gov/fomc

Star-Spangled Spectacular
Inner Harbor
September 10-16, 2014
Baltimore is the birthplace of the national anthem and the focal point in the celebration of its 200th anniversary in 2014. The commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 will culminate with Star-Spangled Spectacular, a weeklong celebration featuring re-enactments, fireworks, the Blue Angels' air show, tall ships, naval ships and special commemorative events. www.starspangled200.com

Activities
Fort McHenry Boat Tour
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Daily, Through September 30, 2014
Experience the fort from the water on this lively 35-minute audio tour. The boat tour provides a unique perspective through the eyes of Francis Scott Key's experience in the hours leading up to writing "The Star-Spangled Banner." The tour will depart from the fort on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.friendsoffortmchenry.org

National Anthem Tour by Sea
Inner Harbor, Light Street Finger Piers
Ongoing
The narrated 60-minute cruise celebrates the War of 1812 Bicentennial. Guests will learn the story of the War of 1812 in Maryland and the state's pivotal role in securing America's independence and how our nation got two of its most enduring icons – the national anthem and the flag. www.cruisesonthebay.com

O'er the Ramparts
Flights depart from Tipton Airport
Through November 30, 2014
Enjoy a helicopter ride over Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, the birthplace of "The Star-Spangled Banner," in honor of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. While circling the fort, you'll see Federal Hill, marinas and the spectacular Baltimore Inner Harbor skyline. www.MonumentalHelicopters.com

Exhibitions
Family of Flagmakers: The Women Who Created the Star-Spangled Banner
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Museum
Ongoing
As the first exhibit to focus on the life of Mary Pickersgill, (maker of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag) her family, household and neighborhood, "Family of Flagmakers" includes several interactive areas, including a station where you can measure yourself against the two-foot stars, touch reproduction fabric and attempt to hoist the flag's weight. www.flaghouse.org

For Whom It Stands: The Flag and the American People
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
Through February 28, 2015
Few people realize that Grace Wisher, a young African American indentured servant in Mary Pickersgill's household, worked on the flag that became a national symbol. Wisher's contribution to American history will be honored with this major exhibition that is an investigation into the history and representation of the U.S. flag as an icon. "For Whom It Stands" is a 3,200-square-foot exhibition featuring more than 75 works of art, artifacts, documents and photographs. www.rflewismuseum.org

Star-Spangled Banner: Anthem of Liberty
Maryland Science Center
Beginning June 14, 2014
This new IMAX film explores the origins of the War of 1812 – the British torching of Washington, D.C., the White House and Capitol and the bombardment of Fort McHenry. www.mdsci.org

A Very Visionary Star-Spangled Sidewalk
American Visionary Art Museum
Through September 2014
A free, outdoor art celebration depicting our nation's beloved national anthem in an engaging, family-fun and informative format playfully welcomes both visitor feet and wheelchairs into an up-close-and-personal viewing experience. The sidewalk – 520 linear feet of it! – has been transformed into a visually creative interpretation, line by line, of our national anthem. www.avam.org

The Star-Spangled Banner. A Patriotic Song.
Maryland Historical Society
Ongoing
The Maryland Historical Society is home to the oldest known surviving manuscript of Francis Scott Key's "The Star-Spangled Banner." Along with this national icon, the Star-Spangled Banner Gallery showcases paintings and artifacts which tell the story of the brave Defenders of Baltimore who fought to protect our country from the British. Currently on view is "The Star-Spangled Banner. A Patriotic Song." Published by Carr Music Store in Baltimore in 1814, it is one of the few remaining copies of the first edition of the poem set to music that we know as our national anthem. www.mdhs.org   

"O" Say Can You See: The Star Spangled Banner in Sports
Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum
Ongoing
The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum features a 3-D film that reveals the genesis of our national anthem being played at sporting events throughout America. The song has a sporting origin dating back to the first game of the 1918 baseball World Series. The short film, screened new projection technology, also celebrates the anthem's place in sports by featuring a composite playing of the song pulled from dozens of renditions dating from the 1930s to the present. www.baberuthmuseum.org

Visit Baltimore – the official sales and marketing organization for Baltimore that generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group and leisure visitors. For more information, visit www.baltimore.org.

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SOURCE Visit Baltimore