The Joel Lane Museum House, nicknamed “The Birthplace of Raleigh,” will host its annual Independence Day Open House July 4, 2011, from 1 to 4 p.m. This is a rare opportunity to tour Wake County’s oldest existing home and all of its amazing history free of charge, while enjoying the wonderful celebration activities on site.

This celebration will feature re-enactors demonstrating aspects of colonial life, many of which visitors will be able to participate in themselves. Learn how to churn your own butter or take on the challenge of balancing water buckets on a pole. There will be old-fashioned crafts and games for children and lemonade for everyone!

In addition to celebration activities, the Joel Lane garden will be on display in its full summer glory, and herbs from the garden will be for sale. To top it all off, local author Suzanne Adair will be there signing and selling her historical novels.

The Joel Lane house, “kitchen building,” and the Visitor’s Center and Museum Shop all will be open. Find more information about the Joel Lane Museum House here.