Newtown Historians Planning Event To Celebrate Nation's 250th Birthday

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The 250th birthday of America may be two years away, but Newtown Borough historians are already gearing up for the big event

At a recent borough council meeting, representatives from the Newtown Historic Association announced that planning is underway for “Newtown Presents 250 Years of Bucks County History” to be held on August 8, 2026.

According to borough historians, the event is the first officially registered event in the county for the upcoming America 250th celebration, which will be heavily marketed by Visit Bucks County, the county’s official tourist promotion agency.

Highlighting the event will be a morning re-enactment of the Loyalist raid on the Bird-In-Hand in 1778.

During the skirmish, Loyalists raided the property where tailors were making uniforms for the George Washington’s troops at Valley Forge. Five American soldiers were killed, four were wounded and others were captured.

The re-enactment, to be staged on South State Street between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., will begin with Loyalist scouts and snipers being driven back by the American Patriots. The main forces will then enter town and engage in several skirmishes. The re-enactment will end with wagons of goods and prisoners being carted away by the British Loyalists.

At 11:30 a.m. attention will turn to South State and Centre Avenue for the re-enactment of the Doan Brothers’ daring robbery of the county treasury in the 1700s when Newtown was the county seat of government. The street will be closed as the outlaws gallop away.

The historians plan on publishing a commemorative booklet that will include the day’s schedule of event and town history.

Other events planned throughout the day include:

• An Edward Hicks reenactor and a display of artwork and Hicks signs at the Newtown Friends Meeting.
• A William Penn reenactor from Pennsbury Manor at the Newtown Borough Borough Hall.
• Historic displays at the Court Inn.
• Newtown Fire Association Museum open to the public.
• Civil War music at the Newtown Theatre.
• Civil War Society presentations.
• Graveyard tours and Hessian prisoners at the Historic Presbyterian Church on Sycamore Street.
• Exhibits and speakers at the First National Bank of Newtown