Living History

Fort McHenry holds a unique honor as the very first site to receive a presidential proclamation requiring the U.S. flag to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year . Each day, you’re invited to join park staff for our morning and evening flag‑changing traditions. Discover why the flag became a powerful symbol during the Battle of Baltimore and how it became deeply tied to the nation’s story as the inspiration behind the Star-Spangled Banner. In the mornings, we raise a replica of a historic flag. In the evenings, we lift an all‑weather flag that proudly flies through the night. Don’t just read about history—experience it! Plan your visit, join a flag program, and be part of a tradition that connects us to the nation’s story. *Flag changes are weather dependent.

Fort McHenry holds a unique honor as the very first site to receive a presidential proclamation requiring the U.S. flag to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year . Each day, you’re invited to join park staff for our morning and evening flag‑changing traditions. Discover why the flag became a powerful symbol during the Battle of Baltimore and how it became deeply tied to the nation’s story as the inspiration behind the Star-Spangled Banner. In the mornings, we raise a replica of a historic flag. In the evenings, we lift an all‑weather flag that proudly flies through the night. Don’t just read about history—experience it! Plan your visit, join a flag program, and be part of a tradition that connects us to the nation’s story. *Flag changes are weather dependent.

With stories from the War of 1812 through the Second World War, Fort McHenry allows for a wide variety of history and subjects to be the topic of the park's ranger programs. Join rangers as they present pre-established programs that help orient visitors to the park's amazing stories!

Join a park ranger for a 45-minute walking tour of the site where Booker T. Washington was born and freed at the age of 9. Learn about Washington’s enslaved childhood on the Burroughs plantation and his emancipation here in 1865. All programs are only offered as weather and staffing permits.

Join a park ranger for a 45-minute walking tour of the site where Booker T. Washington was born and freed at the age of 9. Learn about Washington’s enslaved childhood on the Burroughs plantation and his emancipation here in 1865. All programs are only offered as weather and staffing permits.

Fort McHenry holds a unique honor as the very first site to receive a presidential proclamation requiring the U.S. flag to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year . Each day, you’re invited to join park staff for our morning and evening flag‑changing traditions. Discover why the flag became a powerful symbol during the Battle of Baltimore and how it became deeply tied to the nation’s story as the inspiration behind the Star-Spangled Banner. In the mornings, we raise a replica of a historic flag. In the evenings, we lift an all‑weather flag that proudly flies through the night. Don’t just read about history—experience it! Plan your visit, join a flag program, and be part of a tradition that connects us to the nation’s story. *Flag changes are weather dependent.

Meet at the visitor center to hike with a ranger on the 1.5-mile Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail and learn about the nature and history of Booker T. Washington's childhood home. All programs are only offered as weather and staffing permits.

Join the National Park Service for a guided tour of the historic Hancock Cemetery. This cemetery was the once the resting place of John and Abigail Adams, as well as John Quincy and Louisa Catherine Adams, prior to the construction, and later expansion, of the Adams Crypt in the "Church of the Presidents," United First Parish Church. Learn more about the Adams and Quincy families through an exploration of this historic cemetery. These tours will take place at Hancock Cemetery, located across Hancock Street from the Adams NHP Visitor Center along the Hancock-Adams Common. The tours begin at Hancock Cemetery at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Please be sure to leave time to walk from the Visitor Center to Hancock Cemetery. Cemetery tours are free to attend and do not require reservations. Visitors should dress apppropriately for the weather and wear study shoes for walking over uneven terrain in the cemetery. Public restrooms are available in the Visitor Center at 1250 Hancock St., Quincy, MA 02169. The park offers free, validated parking at the Visitor Center in the Presidents Place parking garage, accessible from Saville Ave. Schedule and availability are subject to change. These tours may be modified or cancelled due to inclement weather or unsafe conditions. Please call the Visitor Center at 617-770-1175 for more information.

Join us in remembering people and events that occurred here. Historic reenactors will portray people from a variety of historic time periods. Representatives of the Quapaw Nation will be here.

A city-wide event featuring free tours and programs at over 20 historic tours, activities and programs at Quincy's historic sites. More information is available at https://www.quincyma.gov/specialevents/openheritageday.php .

Have you ever wondered about the preservation of historic places? Wanted to step into roped-off rooms, sought to learn how to conserve artifacts, or all the above? Explore these questions and more on a special tour of the Saxton House September 26th from 2:30-4:00 PM. See the preservation processes up close, examine historic materials, and furnishings. Learn about the research, restoration, and maintenance needed to protect the home. This extended tour will highlight the home’s restoration and journey to what we see today. Suitable for ages 14 and up. Our capacity for this tour is 9 participants. The tour will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes. This tour requires: kneeling, crouching, entering tight spaces. Wearing shoe covers (provided) when stepping in roped off areas is mandatory. Interested? email us at FILA_info@nps.gov with the subject line "Behind the Ropes" or give us a call at the park at 330-492-0876 and say you are interested in the Behind the Ropes Tour.

The fourth event in our F250 commemorative series will highlight the experiences of prisoners of war during both World Wars. This event will feature living historians and a special Freedom 250 activity for visitors of all ages. Joining us will be our partners from the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail.