Join the York County History Center as it celebrates the Articles of Confederation 1777!

“Celebrate the adoption of the Articles of Confederation with us! Adults and families can participate in hands-on activities that help us understand the place of the Articles of Confederation in American history and learn about York’s Revolutionary past! We are excited to welcome in a range of historic tradespeople, interpreters and historical organizations.”

Lauren Muney of Silhouettes By Hand will cut silhouettes freehand for guests, within the allotted time structure, helping people experience a ‘revolutionary’ portrait type in the time before photography was invented.

The event takes place at the Colonial Complex in York, PA, near the location where Congress met from September 1777 to June 1778 while British forces occupied Philadelphia. The Articles of Confederation were drafted and approved in York, establishing the first official framework for the United States. Visitors can engage with living history, including meeting reenactors, experiencing 18th-century music, viewing original printings of the articles, and taking part in educational programs. The original courthouse stood in Continental Square, and the celebration often highlights the replica courthouse at 157 West Market Street.

The event generally runs from 10 AM to 3 PM in mid-November to align with the historical date of November 15, 1777. In 2026, the event will happen on Nov 14, 2026.

https://www.yorkhistorycenter.org/event/articles-of-confederation-day/