Special 4th of July Events This Week at Monument Hill
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On Saturday, the historic sites will bring out its hand-cranked ice cream maker for old-fashioned frozen treats. -
On Friday and Saturday at the Kreische House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., traditional German-Texan games such as bowling and croquet can be played. -
The Bluff Schuetzenverein had a unique way of celebrating July 4th back in the late 1800s. In lieu of fireworks, anvils were shot in the air on top of the Bluff, creating a thunderous noise for all in La Grange to hear.
Join Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill State Historic Sites this 4th of July and celebrate our country’s patriotic roots with a series of historical activities on the Bluff. On Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6, the sites will host a celebration of Independence Day, 19th-century German-Texan style, featuring living history, games and crafts, and special guided tours. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnics to continue the festivities of their holiday week.
“The Bluff Schuetzenverein had a unique way of celebrating July 4th back in the late 1800s,” says sites educator Jenny Townzen. “Early newspapers reported that, in lieu of fireworks, anvils were shot in the air on top of the Bluff, creating a thunderous noise for all in La Grange to hear.
Thirty-eight anvils were shot, one for every state in the republic at the time of their celebration.” News commentators also reported dancing and merriment on the Bluff, with Fayette County residents enthusiastically celebrating United States Independence— a tradition that continues to this day.
Sites staff and volunteers will host living history demonstrations on Friday and Saturday at the Kreische House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., sharing the history of the Bluff community and German-Texan Independence Day traditions. Activities on both days include the sites’ one-of-a-kind laser shooting gallery, traditional German-Texan games such as bowling and croquet, and flag-making crafts for families. On Friday, visitors are invited to enjoy refreshing beverages taken directly from historic newspaper recipes, and on Saturday, the sites will bring out their hand-cranked ice cream maker for old-fashioned frozen treats.
In addition to these activities, special guided tours will be offered of the sites at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Admission is free for Friends members and children aged 5 and under, $2 for students, $3 seniors, and $5 for adults. All activities and supplies are included with admission.
For more information, visit the Sites’ Facebook page or call the Sites’ visitors center at (979) 968-5658.