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Delaware County appointed its first slate of America250 Commission members in preparation for the celebration. America250PADelco is the official nonpartisan entity charged by Delaware County Council with planning the 250th anniversary and working with residents, organizations, and community leaders to contribute their energy, ideas, and enthusiasm to ensure this celebration is memorable and truly represents the spirit and diversity of our community.

Congratulations to 8th grader Margaret F. of Chester, PA for winning first place in America250's America’s Field Trip program, a nationwide scholastic contest encouraging students to reflect on what America means to them. Thousands of students from across the country submitted inspiring entries, responding to the prompt “What does America mean to you?” for the first-ever America’s Field Trip contest. A panel of current and former educators selected 150 students as awardees, hailing from 44 states and territories. Each first-place awardee will take part in a special field trip experience at one of America’s iconic historical and cultural sites. https://america250.org/fieldtrip/awardees/margaret-f/

Learn about the mindset of America leading up to the Revolution. This year's Revolutionary Reads is '1774: The Long Year of Revolution' by Mary Beth Norton. A historian of national acclaim, Norton looks at the sixteen months leading up to the clashes at Lexington and Concord in mid-April 1775.

Looking for the perfect spot to celebrate the 4th of July? Whether you’re seeking a vibrant parade or a breathtaking fireworks display, Delco has you covered. Be sure to check back – as we will update the list with any new celebrations and locations as they are announced.

America’s Field Trip invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit artwork, videos, and essays reflecting on what America means to them. 75 first-place awardees and their designated chaperone will be provided free travel, lodging, and access to unforgettable field trip experiences at select historical and cultural sites across the country, and second-place awardees will receive $500 cash awards.

Joined by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, America250PADelco partnered with Delaware County, Widener University, the Philadelphia Union, the Downtown Cultural Arts and Technology (CAAT) Center, and to host the 2nd Annual Delaware County MLK Day of Service on January 15 in Chester. Hundreds of people came together to give back to the community where Dr. King once lived. The day included a Peace March and community building activities created to foster unity, sense of purpose, and shared responsibility among residents. www.delcopa.gov/mlk

The bipartisan, bicameral Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, which would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule as part of the nation’s planned Semiquincentennial celebration and have it buried on the west lawn of the Capitol, to remain sealed until July 4, 2276, the nation’s 500th Anniversary. Cosponsors of the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act are U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).

Delaware County also officially established the America250PADelco Commission on August 15, 2023. The new commission will work with community partners to facilitate the raising of funds to support commemoration efforts in conjunction with the America250PADelco Committee. Appointed by Delaware County Council, the America250PADelco Commission will include representatives from Delaware County Council, Visit Delco, the America250PADelco Committee and up to sixteen community leaders from a broad range of backgrounds and have a diversity of expertise and experience in tourism, economic development, museum, cultural, and historic sites, business, education, labor, charitable giving, government, civic and faith-based organizations, and Tribal affairs.

Delaware County Council unanimously appointed Andrea Silva as the Director of the America250PADelco. “I’m excited about this amazing opportunity to engage all members of the Delco community in our county-wide celebration,” said Ms. Silva. “Leading up to July 4, 2026, our entire nation is preparing for a diverse commemoration. We have a chance to pause and learn from our history, celebrate our achievements, and build an engaged community for a strong future in Delaware County.”

Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer, Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Reuther, and Delaware County Planning Department Director Gina Burritt were honored to join Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, members of the Friends of 1724 Chester Courthouse including historian Carol Fireng, and various elected officials at the 1724 Chester Courthouse to announce that the County has been awarded a National Park Service grant in the amount of $522,872 for rehabilitation of the historic structure. Located less than a block from the current Chester City Hall, the 1724 Chester Courthouse is the oldest continuously occupied building in public use in the country and has served as the County Courthouse for Delaware County and Chester County, as well as the City Hall for Chester City. Funding for the National Park Service grant was made available through the Historic Preservation Fund’s Semiquincentennial Grant Program, created by Congress in 2020 to support a wide variety of historic preservation projects to help preserve the nation’s cultural resources.

Each year through 2026, the America250PADelco committee will select a title examining the lead up to the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence to be that year’s Community Read. This year the committee has chosen Frontier Rebels: The Fight For Independence in the American West, 1765-1776 by Patrick Spero.

In an effort to promote a healthier Pennsylvania, America250PA is encouraging Pennsylvanians to live a healthier lifestyle by walking, running, biking or wheeling their way to 2026, all while taking in the #EPIC views of our Commonwealth. Participants can walk, run, bike or wheel their own race, at their own pace, and submit their times to track their progress. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our county partners, America250PA will also highlight and encourage visitation to Pennsylvania state parks, county parks and local historic points of interests. Race managed by Wolf Creek Race Management in Butler County. Explore Delco parks and trails- Visit Delco- https://visitdelcopa.com/trails/ Delaware County Parks and Trails Explorer- https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/32d38a65de0e49408e6e500fec65807f AllTrails- https://www.alltrails.com/ Let us know you're participating through our Socials!

As we prepare for the country’s 250th birthday, join local historian Jim Segrave-Daly to discuss how Philadelphia & Delaware County celebrated America’s bicentennial. From President Ford’s visit to Valley Forge & Philadelphia to the film “Independence” by Academy Award-winning director John Huston, the area celebrated in style. Joint program with Haverford Township Historical Society, Haverford Township Free Library and America250PADelco. Click Read More to watch the video.

At the July 21, 2021 County Council meeting, Councilman Madden read out a Resolution supporting the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States semi-quincentennial (America250PA). Agenda item 7.A at the meeting. Item 9.E was for approval of applying for a PHMC HARC grant which, if successful, would involve America250PADelco in the third phase of the Collections Care project throughout Delaware County. Click the button to watch the video of both items.

Leaders from America250, Milwaukee Brewers and others announce at Cubs vs. Brewers game, a new partnerships to help make America’s 250th the largest, most inclusive commemoration. Read more and watch America’s Invitation launch video, which will play in MLB stadiums and be broadcast across the country.

As part of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s efforts to transform its campus by preserving history and creating state-of-the-art facilities, the university will restore the Melrose Cottage, originally constructed in the late 1700s, and convert the structure into a Welcome Center that will attract, exhibit, and educate current and future generations about the nation’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU).