Local Presidents Day weekend events fit for the White House

Celebrate the birth of presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in historical style this Presidents Day Weekend.

Take a bite out of history on Wednesday, Feb. 11 for an informative noon lunchtime chat on the changes in presidential style throughout history at the Carriage House Tearoom (1048 Washington St., Cape May).

Naturally, the National Constitution Center (525 Arch St.) is going all out for Presidents Day weekend. Starting Friday, Feb. 13, they'll debut a new exhibit ("Creating Camelot: The Kennedy Photography of Jacques Lowe"), host a meet and greet with presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt; offer presidential dress-up, stories of White House love, and so much more. The center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13 and Monday, Feb. 16 (they're also offering free admission on Monday), 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15.

As the first President of the United States, George Washington made some monumental choices that affected the rest of history. Hear a bit about his essential role in the development of the presidency at the Independence Visitor Center (5th and Market Streets) at 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. on both Saturday, Feb. 14 and Sunday, Feb. 15.

Parents, if you're office-bound on Monday, Feb. 16, the Brandywine Zoo (1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington, Del.) will keep an eye on the kids during this day camp program. Drop them off between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. for a day of animal education. Pick-up is at 5 p.m.

Splish-splash and make a watery mess at the Independence Seaport Museum (211 S. Columbus Blvd.) for a day of aquatic activities on Monday, Feb. 16. Kids can get dropped off at 9 a.m. for this daylong session of water-filter building, oil-spill cleanup, explosions and buoyancy lessons. The day wraps up at 4 p.m.

All day on Monday, Feb. 16 at the National Museum of American Jewish History (101 S. Independence Mall East), learn about how the first president of the United States influenced both American history and the Jewish community. Quill pen-writing activities will also be held in the museum, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Color, quiz and tour your way through Presidents Day at the John Chads' House at the Chadds Ford Historical Society (1736 Creek Rd., Chadds Ford) on Monday, Feb. 16. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids can color and play with paper dolls while the 'rents can take on presidential trivia. Costumed tour guides will also lead visitors through the house and reveal its Revolutionary history.

For 283 years old, Washington looks pretty good. Celebrate his birthday at Valley Forge National Park Visitor Center (1400 N. Outer Line Dr., King of Prussia) with birthday-card making, Mrs. Washington's "Great Cake," meet and greets with the first president, drill formations with the Continental Army, and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16.

Abe Lincoln's diet. Now you're thinking about it. Find out what his favorite dishes were — and taste some — at the Mercer Museum (84 S. Pine St., Doylestown) at noon on Monday, Feb. 16.

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens (1020 South St.) will hold a special one-hour Presidents Day tour starting at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16, taking visitors through the main gardens and other nearby mosaicked areas.

There are the historical lessons you learn in history class and then there are the lesser-known, quirkier stories from presidential history's past. You'll hear some of them during the Historic Philadelphia Center's (6th and Chestnut Streets) Presidents Day Weekend. Tales of Washington's journey to his first inauguration and Martha Washington's birthday bash for George will be covered during these story sessions running from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, Thursday, Feb. 19 and Friday, Feb. 20.