100 new US citizens take the Oath of Allegiance on the Fourth of July

In celebration of the 241st anniversary of American independence, the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond hosted a full day of patriotic festivities, including a large-scale citizenship naturalization ceremony, the opening of a new exhibition, a concert, and much more.

One hundred candidates for United States citizenship from nearly 50 countries took the Oath of Allegiance on the front terrace of the museum at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony was free and open to the public.

A new exhibit on George Washington: The Myths and the Man opened. It features paintings of Washington, an original diary that he kept during his presidency, and other rare Washington artifacts.

Visitors were able to eat lunch on the VHS front lawn with concessions for sale and food by Carytown Burgers and Fries. The John Marshall High School Alumni Band performed its patriotic best, and visitors were invited to solve a scavenger hunt and sign up for behind-the-scenes tours.

Virginia Historical Society is located at 428 North Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia 23220. Regular hours are Monday–Saturday, 10–5, Sunday, 10–5 (Galleries & Museum Shop). Admission is free. For more information go to http://www.vahistorical.org