The historic site hosted a “Star Spangled Fourth” celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring revolutionary reenactments, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and the ringing of a replica Liberty Bell, among other scheduled events.

Peter Follen, a member of the Fort Roberdeau board of directors, said visitors traveled from across central Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and even Michigan for the event. Follen said he believes the fort attracts people from across the country because there is still “an interest in American history.”

Fort Roberdeau, known as the Lead Mine Fort, was built in 1778 to support the lead mining and smelting operations during the revolution. Many historical landmarks live on the 230-acre site including the war fort, a smelter and a 19th-century farmhouse, which can transport visitors to Revolutionary times.

The site also includes lively costumed reenactors who volunteer their time to teach visitors about the pioneer lifestyle.

Fort Roberdeau volunteer Casper Newman, 7, of Chambersburg, blows a Revolutionary War-era whistle during the fort’s Star Spangled Fourth 2025 event on Friday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Tom Gavazzi is known as the “colonial metallurgist” at Fort Roberdeau, where he melts down various types of metals in his forge and makes “useful things” in front of interested audience members.

“I try to convey that we have alchemy,” Gavazzi said. “And so we don’t have the periodic table of the elements.”

Another reenactor, Lucinda Corle, not only teaches about colonial clothing, but washes and mends them, too, saying she “enjoys learning about how they made clothing last forever.”

Revolutionary reenacting can also be done by little kids, too, which is how 7-year-old ensign Casper Newman and his father, Andrew, spent their Fourth of July celebration.

Newman noted that he enjoyed reenacting with his dad, but he did not like his colonial-style hat because it was shaped “like a triangle.”

Fort Roberdeau volunteer Andy Newman of Chambersburg inspects the new “military recruits” before drilling during the fort’s Star Spangled Fourth 2025 event on Friday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

The volunteers “bring history alive,” according to Fort Roberdeau Director Glenn Nelson, noting that the site relies on their knowledge and dedication.

The reading of the Declaration of Independence Friday gave visitors a chance to hear the founding document for the first time in a long time, if not the first time ever.

Rhonda Gopaul heard the Declaration of Independence read aloud when she became a citizen of the United States.

“You know, you feel that rush,” she said. “When you come here to be free, it’s the power of that.”

A large majority of visitors, however, said they have not recently heard the document read aloud, but were willing to listen and learn.

Fort Roberdeau Director Glenn Nelson, portraying fort commander Maj. Robert Cluggage, reads the Declaration of Independence during the fort’s Star Spangled Fourth 2025 event on Friday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Misti McCleary said she came with her history buff boyfriend, Tyrone native Jeff Zeigler, because “he knows all the information, and I don’t know a lot.”

Couple Haley O’Banion and Brentlee Barney also came to Fort Roberdeau to learn more about the American Revolution, as well as encourage their son, Legend Barney, to participate in patriotic activities.

“History is important, and I’d like to be a part of it,” Brentlee Barney said.

Later that day, young children present at the fort were invited to join the calvary and ring the replica Liberty Bell with Nelson, who played the role of Major Robert Cluggage.

Six-year-old Autumn Clark was chosen to be the captain of the calvary, saying she enjoyed “being a help to this place.”

Fort Roberdeau volunteer Tom Gavazzi portrays a lead miner during the fort's Star Spangled Fourth 2025 event on Friday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Her sister, Abby Clark, 9, added that the event was “fun,” since she was the first person to ring the replica Liberty Bell that day, “even though it’s not the real Liberty Bell because the real bell has a crack in it.”

Although history can be seen as complicated and complex, the fort staff and volunteers always try to make it fun, especially for interested kids.

Payton O’Banion, 9, said she had fun at Fort Roberdeau, because “you can learn about how it was like when you weren’t born.”

Corle loves teaching children about colonial clothing, saying that she enjoys seeing “their eyes when they twinkle while telling them different stories.”

“It’s very important that they know how people lived,” Corle said. “That’s why (the settlers) came here, to establish their own ways of life.”

Fort Roberdeau volunteer Jared Frederick of Altoona administers the "Which side are you on?" questionnaire to Ashley Hook and her son, Deklyn Mason, 9, both of Indiana, during the fort's Star Spangled Fourth 2025 event on Friday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

On Independence Day, the fort strives to be a place for people of all ages to come and learn how far America has come since the Revolution.

“We are the country we are today because of what they did from the American Revolution, so this Fourth of July is a kind of celebration of that,” Follen said.