Laurel Historical Society

In celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial we are taking a look back to the Centennial 150 years ago!

The United States Centennial was celebrated across the nation but was primarily centered in Philadelphia with the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine, which ran from May 10 to November 10, 1876. This exhibition showed off and celebrated America’s growing industrial strength and inventiveness with 200 buildings that housed over 30,000 exhibitors from around the world.

This large celebration was not the only way the Centennial was celebrated. Across the nation, cities like Laurel held their own events for the 100th anniversary. On July 4th, 1876, Laurel held a celebration described as “deafening” by the Baltimore Sun due to cannon firing, bells, steam whistles, and more. The Declaration of Independence was read aloud and a parade featuring a chariot, marchers representing the states and territories, mechanical and agricultural societies, and more took place in the city.

Interested in learning more about the Centennial? Drop by the Laurel Museum during our regular open hours Friday – Sunday at 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm to see our current exhibition “Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel’s Freedom Celebrations”!

Image Credit: Bird's eye view. Centennial international exhibition. 1876. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Did you know that the Liberty Bell was not used as a symbol of freedom until the 19th century? Join us at the Laurel Museum on July 11th for our FREE Children's Day where you and your child can learn more about how both the United States and Laurel have celebrated freedom over the last 250 years!

Date: Saturday, July 11th from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Laurel Museum (817 Main Street, Laurel, MD 20707)
Cost: Free but donations are accepted

Happy 4th of July from all of us at the Laurel Historical Society! We hope everyone has a fantastic day celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Just a reminder that the Laurel Museum will be closed today, Saturday, July 4th. But don't worry, we'll be back open with our normal hours on Sunday from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Images:
1. July 4th 1976 Parade Float during the 200th celebration. Hoekstra Collection.
2. Maryland State Guard in the 1943 4th of July Parade. Robison Collection
3. A group of young people getting ready to go tubing and canoeing down a river during the 1979 4th of July celebration. Laurel Leader Collection.
4. Float in 1986 4th of July parade. Laurel Historical Society Collection.

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with a fun, freedom themed Children's Day! Join us for this FREE event at the Laurel Museum on July 11th to continue the celebration beyond the 4th with educational scavenger hunts, hands-on community crafts, and snacks.

Date: Saturday, July 11th from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Laurel Museum (817 Main Street, Laurel, MD 20707)
Cost: Free but donations are accepted

Beat the heat this weekend and join us at the Laurel Museum for popsicles! This Friday, July 3rd and Sunday, July 5th, stop by the Laurel Museum from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm to grab a popsicle, enjoy the air conditioning, and explore our exhibit "Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel's Freedom Celebrations".

Image: Cover for "Frozen Sweets" by Mrs. S. T. Rorer, published 1880 - 1910. The book contains recipes for use in American Twin Freezer. Laurel Historical Society Collection.

It is the last day of Pride Month, so we are taking a look at how the City of Laurel has historically celebrated!

Since 2024, the City of Laurel has held an annual flag raising ceremony in honor of Pride Month. In this image, Pride Committee Members (PCM), Laurel City Council, and community members attend the flag raising in 2025 to honor World Pride. This was Pride’s second annual flag raising, and the tradition continued to grow this year.

Today may be the last day of Pride Month, but we are celebrating freedom for all, all year round! Stop by the Laurel Museum during our open hours to visit our exhibit "Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel's Freedom Celebrations" and learn more about Laurel's different celebrations of freedom, including Pride!

Image: From left to right, standing: Mayor Keith Sydnor, Josh Kole, Brandon McGuire, Onyx D. Pearl/Alvin Smith (PCM), Scarlett Bronson, Jennifer Bronson, Amy Knox (PCM), Jo Blair, Matty Nabinger, Dawn Turney, James Kole (Council and PCM), Jackie Jones, Amy Dunham (PCM), Frank Morgan, Kyla Clark (Council), Dan Moiser. From left to right, first row: Nicole Gore (PCM), Michelle Keating (PCM), Bozhy, and Kelvin Jackson. Image courtesy of Laurel Pride

Today we commemorate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 in which enslaved people in Galveston, Texas first heard they were official freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The first Juneteenth celebration, known as "Jubilee Day" took place in Texas in 1866.

The City of Laurel held its first Juneteenth ceremony in 2021, but it has since grown into an annual celebration. The Laurel Historical Society will be at the Juneteenth Celebration tomorrow, June 20th, at Emancipation Community Park from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Stop by to learn more about Juneteenth, how the City of Laurel celebrates it, and take part in a special craft.

If you are not able to visit us tomorrow at the Juneteenth Celebration, you can still learn more at our current exhibition "Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel's Freedom Celebrations"!

Images: Juneteenth Ceremony 2021 Program, Laurel Historical Society Collection.

Sunday is the LAST day to sign up for our annual Rube Goldberg Summer Camp next week, June 22nd through 26th! Sign up now to join us at the Laurel Museum for this FREE summer camp where rising 3rd to 5th graders can learn about the wonderful and fascinating world of science and create their own Rube Goldberg machine.

Time: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM daily
Location: Laurel Community Pool Room & Laurel Museum (additional location information will be sent in the confirmation email)
Cost: FREE (advanced registration is required)
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/laurel-historical-society-2026-rube-goldberg-summer-camp-tickets-1988922713376?aff=LHSWebsite

For more information, contact us at [email protected].

It's Pride Month and we are taking a look at how Laurel has celebrated Pride!

Did you know that the first Laurel Pride Celebration was held at Granville Gude Park on October 8, 2022? Laurel's family-friendly Pride celebration takes place during LGBTQ+ history month instead of Pride Month to extend the celebration beyond June, while reinforcing the fact that inclusion and recognition should be year-round.

You can learn more about Laurel Pride in our current exhibition "Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel's Freedom Celebrations"!

Image: The first Laurel Pride Celebration on October 8, 2022 at Granville Gude Park. Laurel Historical Society Collection.

We are closed today, June 14th, to give our team a well-deserved break and some extra time to recharge after our Laurel Garden Tour. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to seeing you at the museum on our next business day Friday, June 19!