“Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel’s Freedom Celebrations” Open February 15, 2026

As part of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the Laurel Historical Society is opening the Laurel Museum’s latest exhibit, Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel’s Freedom Celebrations, opening to the public on February 15, 2026. The exhibition invites visitors to journey through the rich tapestry of Laurel’s unique commemorations of freedom, from the Fourth of July to other landmark celebrations that reflect the spirit and diversity of our community.

At the heart of the exhibit are displays marking major U.S. Independence anniversaries—the 1876 Centennial, the 1926 Sesquicentennial, and the 1976 Bicentennial. Visitors will discover how these important milestones were observed both across the nation and in Laurel.

Beyond the 4th also shines a spotlight on Laurel’s celebrations that reflect the community’s broader understanding of freedom, including Emancipation Day, Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Laurel Pride. Through engaging artifacts, photos, and personal stories, the exhibit celebrates the many ways Laurel’s residents have come together to honor liberty, self-expression, and community throughout the years.

A special feature of the exhibit are the panels which counterpoint the main displays. In each section visitors will find a thoughtful look at “Inclusion and Exclusion” during major celebrations. These panels explore the experiences of women, African Americans, and Indigenous peoples, examining how these groups were often underrecognized and the efforts needed to claim their rightful place in these moments of national and local pride.

The exhibit also focuses attention on the legacies of the city’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976, which left a lasting imprint on Laurel and still play a major role today: The Laurel Historical Society, the Laurel Historic District Commission and Laurel’s 4th of July Committee.

The Laurel Historical Society itself is a direct outgrowth of the third of three national Bicentennial themes of Heritage, Festivals and Horizons. Originally called the Laurel Horizon Society at its 1975 founding, the organization changed its name to the Laurel Historical Society (LHS) in 1979. The Laurel Museum, advocated for and operated by the LHS, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026. Laurel’s Historic District and the Historic District Commission were also founded in 1975 with broad community support and as a direct result of the effort to preserve the community’s visible and tangible history. The 4th of July Committee was created in 1978, spurred by a query by an elementary school girl on why the City was not replicating its spectacular July 4, 1976 fireworks efforts.

Notes LHS Executive Director Kristen Norton: “We invite you to explore Laurel’s rich cultural traditions and community celebrations, from its patriotic 4th of July events and beyond. This exhibit reveals how Laurel has long celebrated freedom in many forms, from Emancipation Day, its oldest continuous community celebration, to new community traditions like Laurel Pride. Discover, reflect, and be inspired at Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel’s Freedom Celebrations.”

The Laurel Museum is located at 817 Main Street, Laurel, MD 20707. Regular hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12:00- 4:00 PM. For more information, please visit the website at www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org or call (301) 725-7975.

The Laurel Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1975 with the mission to deepen the understanding of the past and cultural heritage of Laurel, Maryland to connect and inspire, for today and the