First Annual: A Declaration Celebration at Harriton House

June 26, 2026
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In honor of America 250, Harriton House in Bryn Mawr hosts a community picnic, A Declaration Celebration, celebrating their former resident, the Continental Congress’ Charles Thomson.

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Harriton House, originally known as Bryn Mawr, was most famously the residence of Founding Father Charles Thomson, the secretary of the Continental Congress. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

And, in honor of America 250, they are hosting their first annual A Declaration Celebration free community picnic and open house on Sunday, July 5th, 2026 from 11am to 4pm.

And who in the world is this dude Charles Thomson you ask? So do we lol.

Historical Information Provided by Laura Carpenter Myers,
Executive Director of The Harriton House

Harriton’s connection to the Declaration of Independence is through Charles Thomson. Thomson was appointed as Secretary to the Continental Congress in September of 1774 and served in this position through 1789. As Secretary, Thomson recorded the official proceedings, co-designed the Great Seal, and was one of only two men to sign the first printed copy of the Declaration of Independence after it was ratified on July 4th, 1776. Thomson as Secretary, and John Hancock as President, had signed the manuscript attesting to its authenticity as an official declaration of the Congress. Their names were set in type and printed on the first copies by John Dunlap at his print shop at 2nd and Market about 5 blocks from the State House. Most of the possessions owned by Charles and Hannah Thomson during his service as Secretary no longer survive or have been lost to history. The Harriton Association does own a rather unassuming desk that was commissioned by Charles Thomson for his use when the Congress moved out of Philadelphia. This desk will be highlighted in the mini tours on July 5th during the Declaration Celebration as a tangible connection between Charles Thomson, the Declaration of Independence, and his life at Harriton House.

A Declaration Celebration at The Harriton House

When: Sunday, July 5th11am-4pm rain or shine
Where: 500 Harriton Road, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Admission & Parking: Free

Complete details are here on the Harriton House Facebook Event Page →

Social Media Love!

When you visit, don’t forget to tag The Harriton House in all your event photos, patriotic selfies and videos on social media–most especially Instagram stories.