The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives is getting in on the America 250 theme- with a special exhibit on past celebrations of United States Independence.
Visitors to the state capitol can see the Keystone of America exhibit all year long.
“Many of those celebrations were in Philadelphia so we have a lot of fun facts,” said Taylor Mason, outreach archivist for the House Archives.
From 1776 to 1976, each section showcases Pennsylvania people, posters, pictures and clothing from the time period.
“If they were there, this is what these people would have been wearing if they would have gone to the celebration,” Mason said.
Some pieces are reproductions- others are original, like a dress from the 1876 time period.
“1876 is one of our favorite ones. It was in Philadelphia, a big celebration,” Mason said. “They built buildings for it to hold the exposition and everything.”
That year, Heinz made a special “keystone ketchup”. And,
“Bananas were actually introduced to America in 1876. They were brought in as part of the world’s fair for that celebration,” Mason said.
In 1976, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives had a special ceremony at Independence Hall- with the president of France as a special guest.
For many of the celebrations, the General Assembly played a critical role.
“We look back through old journals and things, and a lot of times the legislature was providing funding for these new buildings to celebrate,” Mason said. “Because it was in Pennsylvania. Because they want to make Pennsylvania look as important as it is supposed to be.”
Celebrations can bridge divides and give Pennsylvanians the pause in life to think about their society and the role they play in it.
“People care about the history of the country,” Mason said. “They care about where we started and where we’re going, because why would they celebrate it if they weren’t looking back at 1776 or even before with William Penn and 1682.”