"NINE MONTHS IN YORK TOWN" CELEBRATES
225th ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA'S FIRST CONSTITUTION
Articles of Confederation adopted in York, Pa.

YORK, Pa. (August 7, 2002) --- It commemorates a signature event in American history, so naturally John Hancock will be here. Fellow Founding Fathers Samuel Adams and John Adams are returning, too.

They're coming back Sept. 29 for "Nine Months in York Town," a nearly year-long celebration commemorating the 225th anniversary of America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation.

While George Washington's Army shivered at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78, the Continental Congress fled Philadelphia ahead of the advancing British army. The members settled in the frontier village of York Town, placing the mile-wide Susquehanna River between themselves and the Red Coats. The Articles --- the first document to bind the 13 original colonies as the United States of America --- established a legal system that bridged the Declaration of Independence and the adoption of the Constitution nearly 10 years later.

Among the many activities planned for the 225th celebration are two exhibits at the Historical Society Museum, 250 E. Market St., York, that open in the fall, as well as a Civil War encampment tied to York County's annual Oyster Fest in October.

"Celebrate York" Exhibit
Sept. 29 to July 4, 2003
Hancock and the Adamses are among the subjects of this star-spangled exhibit, featuring 16 oil paintings hanging against deep-blue walls bordered in red with 18-inch stars. On the occasion of the Articles' 150th anniversary in 1927, York County artist J. Horace Rudy commissioned the paintings of local and national figures from the colonial period. The exhibit also will include a rendition of "The Spirit of '76" painted by Ernst Zimmerman, who came to York in 1891; a 10-foot model of the courthouse where the Continental Congress met during its nine-month stay in York Town; hanging musical instruments; historic photographs; and souvenirs from past Articles anniversary celebrations.

" 'The Pen is Mightier …': Documents from York Town and the American Revolution" Exhibit
Nov. 16 through January 2003
Before he became America's second president, and long before he became the subject of a best-selling book, John Adams came to York Town. Letters and other original documents written by and to the patriots who were associated with the Continental Congress in York are the basis for this exhibit. In a letter dated Sept. 30, 1777, Adams explained to his wife, Abigail, how he arrived from Philadelphia by way of Trenton, N.J., Easton, Bethlehem, Reading and Lancaster. "I am still of Opinion that Philadelphia will be no Loss to Us," he wrote. "I am very comfortably situated here, in the House of General Roberdeau, whose Hospitality has taken in Mr. S(amuel Adams), Mr. (Elbridge) G(erry) and me. My Health is as good as common, and I assure you my Spirits not the worse for the Loss of Philadelphia."

Colonial Days/Oyster Fest
Colonial Courthouse, Gates House/Plough Tavern complex
Oct. 19-20
This year, Sunday's annual Oyster Fest combines with the two-day Colonial Days to bring York Town to life as it was 225 years ago. Oyster Fest has attracted visitors for more than 25 years with homemade oyster stew, fresh shucked oyster, steamed shrimp, pork sandwiches and hot apple fritters. During Colonial Days, men, women and children dressed in period costumes portray Revolutionary War soldiers, camp followers, merchants, townspeople and members of Congress. Other activities include children's games and story times and interactive trials performed by the York County Bar Association's theatrical group, The Barstools. Saturday's Tavern Night offers food, period music, games and brew served by celebrity pourers.

For a complete calendar of events, visit the official "Nine Months in York Town" Web site at www.yorkheritage.org/articles or call the York County Heritage Trust at 717-848-1587. Meanwhile, for more information about York County tourist attractions, including a free visitors guide, visit www.yorkpa.org or call 1-888-858-YORK (9675).

York County --- the Factory Tour Capital of the World --- offers more than a dozen factory tours. Located at Interstate 83 and Route 30 in south-central Pennsylvania, York is just 22 miles south of Harrisburg, 54 miles north of Baltimore and 97 miles west of Philadelphia.

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