programs & projects

250th Community Program Partner Chat Sessions

Held the first Wednesday of each month, these virtual office hours can answer your questions related to how individuals and organizations can get involved in the 250th, whether it’s creating a specific program or legacy goal for the anniversary or just general understanding of what’s happening in Delco for this milestone event.

Delco Semiquin Plan

America’s 250th anniversary isn't just a party thrown for us, it's a party thrown by us! Learn about how Delco is designing our very own ' U.S. Semiquincentennial Celebration' right here, across all 49 municipalities in Delco.

Fireworks, Parades and Festivals

Celebrate our Independence Day at these festivities around Delaware County!

DelcoVolunteers – DelcoStrong for 250 More Years

A strategic investment to build community and American pride through volunteer service. A250PADelco will launch an interactive web platform and marketing campaign to promote ‘American Generosity and Service’. Community Program Partners will be invited to post 250th volunteer opportunities at their historic and civic sites, commemorative events, and public history projects. A250PADelco will connect with the public, schools, companies, faith centers, and civic groups to mobilize and join the celebration!

Revolutionary Reads Community Read

Each year through 2026, a book is chosen that gives audiences a reconsideration of the iconic events leading up to the America Revolution against the British Empire. The American colonists’ breakup with the British Empire was the culmination of a series of escalating events and politics over a ten year period. Each author shares different perspectives of the people living in the colonies leading up to the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence. Revolutionary Reads will also include Book Club in a Bag totes for check out at Delaware County Libraries locations, book clubs hosted at libraries and organizations across Delaware County. Support local business and buy your summer read from independent bookseller Main Point Books (Wayne). 2024 Revolutionary Read - '1774: The Long Year of Revolution' by Mary Beth Norton 2023 Revolutionary Read - 'Frontier Rebels: The Fight for Independence in the American West, 1765-1776' by Patrick Spero. 2022 Revolutionary Read - 'The Boston Massacre: A Family History' by Serena Zabin.

Preserving History - 1724 Chester Court House

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. “The spirit of Delaware County is reflected in its historic cultural gems like the 1724 Chester Courthouse,” said Congresswoman Scanlon. “Thanks to this new funding from the National Park Service’s Semiquincentennial Grant Program, our community has the exciting opportunity to put the courthouse back together in a way that keeps the building in public use and ensures future generations of Pennsylvanians can reap the cultural, educational, civic, and economic benefits.”

250 IS COMING! ZOOM IN TO MAKE HISTORY

Offered in partnership with Chester County 250, these virtual workshops will help you consider how your organization, park, municipality with be "Visitor Ready" for the 250th Celebrations. How Is Valley Forge National Historic Park Getting Ready for 250? with Rose Fennell, Superintendent, U.S. National Park Service What Does It Mean to Be "Visitor Ready" for 250? Self Assessment Checklist and Getting Ready for 250 with Donna Ann Harris, Heritage Consulting, Philly

Heritage Traveler Project

The Heritage Traveler Project points out sites and stories of Delaware County history. This community-sourced project is asking the public to share pictures and stories on this Facebook Group. In addition, sites are invited to post onto theClio.com, an educational website and mobile application that guides the public to thousands of historical and cultural sites throughout the United States along with nature trails, art walking tours, and virtual tours of museums and sites.

Resources for Community Program Partners

Organizations and institutions across America have lent their expertise to develop and share these resources for inclusive programs that inspire Americans to renew and strengthen our daring experiment in democracy and participate in this historic commemoration.

The Liberty Tree Project

America250PA is planting a certified Liberty Tree in each of the 67 counties in partnership with the Pennsylvania Freemasons. Thank you to Patrick Burns, America250PA Chairman and Delco resident, and Delaware County Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for sponsoring Delco's Liberty Tree. Coming soon is the location of Delaware County's tree!

Pennsylvania Day - July 20th

National Pennsylvania Day is an annual observance that is celebrated on July 20th. America250PA designates this day as the volunteer component of the A250PA initiative. Volunteerism has important impacts on our communities, and we are committed to encouraging every resident to participate. Save the Date and Volunteer on July 20!

Road to 2026

America250PA is encouraging Pennsylvanians to live a healthier lifestyle by walking, running, biking or wheeling their way to 2026. Participants can walk, run, bike or wheel their own race, at their own pace, and submit their times to track their progress. This program is being carried out in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our county partners. Register and to become a Delaware County Parks and Trails Explorer!

Be #PAProud

Tell America250PA what makes you #PAProud. Delaware County, here is your opportunity to share what makes you #DelcoProud with the entire state of PA.

#PAProud Servicemember Spotlight

Nominate a Servicemember today. Spotlighting Pennsylvania active servicemembers and Veterans on our social media platforms. The America250PA Commission wants to recognize those servicemembers for their service to our Commonwealth and Country.

"Start Here, America Did" Podcast Series

The America250PA Podcast is telling the unique stories that make up the diverse fabric of Pennsylvania. Listen to the most recent episode or submit your idea to America250PA.

Direct Effect Innovation Challenge (DEIC)

America250PA is challenging Pennsylvania college and university students to create integrated marketing campaigns for America250PA. The DEIC is a three round marketing challenge that provides teams of students to build campaigns to engage #EveryPennsylvanian in #EveryCounty in America250PA. Join the virtual launch event on September 19, 2023 to learn more.

Memorial Flag Initiative

America250PA, in coordination with Pennsylvania agencies and Essential Utilities, will place American flags on veteran gravesites across the Commonwealth. This flag memorial will remain in place between Memorial Day and Veterans Day in 2026 to show our statewide gratitude and respect for the sacrifices of our servicemen and servicewomen.

Keystone Classroom Initiative

America250PA is delivering a storytelling and visitation program for 50,000 pre-k through 4th grade students by 2026 to educate young people about our shared Pennsylvania story. Each selected school partner with local mascots to hand out America250 backpacks filled with goodies and to read "K is for Keystone" the America250PA Coloring Book. Applications will re-open in late spring 2024 for 204/25 school year.

Young Heroes Outreach Program (YHOP)

America250PA is Implementing civics education in Pennsylvania classrooms in partnership with the National Liberty Museum.

Bells Across PA

America250PA is accepting design submissions from Pennsylvania artists for the ‘Bells Across PA’ art series to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States in 2026. These fiberglass bells will be adorned and magically transformed by local artists and sponsored by businesses or individuals. The selected artists or group will receive an honorarium. Installation will begin in April 2025. Public bell locations will be included on America250PA’s 2026 Commemorative Map. ‘Bells Across PA’ is open to all Pennsylvania artists and groups from the acclaimed to the amateur.

Semiquincentennial Bells

America250PA is Installing permanent, commemorative bronze bells at historically significant locations. Learn about the first Semiquincentennial Bell at the Dennis Farm. This 200+ year-old farm, originally settled by free African Americans who moved to northeastern Pennsylvania from Connecticut after the Revolutionary War and continuously in the stewardship of their descendants, represents an overlooked and remarkable story in American history that holds lessons for us today. **No Semiquincentennial Bells are currently planned for Delaware County.

USA Semiquincentennial License Plate

Pennsylvanians can celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America with a new USA Semiquincentennial registration plate. Act 48 of 2020 directs the Department of Transportation to design the special plate in honor of the anniversary, in 2026, of the establishment of the United States in 1776. The plate will include the phrase “Let Freedom Ring – 250 Years” and feature the Liberty Bell. A plate fee of $50 is payable in addition to the registration fee for a motorcycle, a passenger car or a truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds, or a motor home. The plate will be available for a limited time: Act 48 takes effect Oct. 28 and expires Dec. 31, 2026.

National Garden of American Heroes: Statues

NEH Announces Grant Opportunity to Create Statues of Iconic Americans for the National Garden of American Heroes

America’s Invitation

AMERICA250 has launched America’s Invitation. SHARE YOUR STORY to get involved in the countdown to 2026. America250 wants to hear from you—your reflections on our past, present, and future. They will use these stories to tell the American story on social media, through videos and to create the most inclusive commemoration in our history. Visit america250.org.

Semiquincentennial Coin Program

In 2026, the U.S. Mint will commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding with redesigned circulating coins as part of the Semiquincentennial Coin Program.

America's Field Trip

A nationwide scholastic contest inviting students across the country in grades 3–12 to share their perspectives on what America means to them and earn the opportunity to participate in unforgettable field trip experiences at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks. America’s Field Trip invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit artwork, videos, and essays reflecting on what America means to them. The contest begins accepting submissions March 4, 2024, and will remain open until May 17, 2024. Award recipients will be announced in June 2024, and field trips will start in mid-July.

Our American Story

A national effort to compile an oral and visual history and understanding of the United States, supported by America250 founding sponsor, Walmart. Launching a call for nominations on July 3, 2024. Our American Story is an oral and visual storytelling project aimed at collecting and preserving our nation’s stories. This is your opportunity to nominate a living person – a friend, family member, neighbor, or community leader – whose story you think needs to be shared and preserved.

America Gives

A multi-year, year-round effort focused on charitable giving, volunteer service, and public service – which includes military service. Through this effort, America250 will create a legacy of service beyond 2026. Supported by America250 founding sponsor, Walmart.

America’s Culture

An opportunity to showcase American art forms, creative expressions, and cultural touchstones, and increase access to and awareness of the arts in America.

America Innovates

A traveling tech expo that will display America’s greatest innovations and our aspirations for the future, asking the next generation of creators what innovations they want to create that will be critical for the next 250 years.

America Waves

A unique way to create moments for all Americans to come together with their communities, wave their American flags, celebrate America’s 250th, and honor the contributions of those who brought us to where we are today.

Time Capsule

A collaboration involving all 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia to collect items for a time capsule to be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.

July 4th 2026 Activations

A national celebration in Washington, DC, and across the country on July 4, 2026, in which we will partner with established groups who host legacy July 4th events and parade organizers at the state and local levels.

NEH’s “A More Perfect Union”

The National Endowment for the Humanities’s special initiative A More Perfect Union is designed to demonstrate and enhance the critical role the humanities play in our nation, while also supporting projects that will help Americans commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.