You might have heard about America 250, as in the 250th anniversary of the United States.  Tom and I started hearing about it a few years ago because the National Park sites are all planning special events to celebrate.  Even if the history of the site doesn’t go back 250 years, there is still plenty of America’s story to tell.  This is a big deal thing and National Park sites are all sprucing up to be ready for the anniversary.

Ohio has gone big on being part of America 250.  Tom and I first noticed it when we joined the Ohio History Connection.  Ohio has only been a state since 1803 but there is plenty of history in the state that predates statehood.  In 2022, Governor DeWine set up a 29 member commission to prepare the state for participation in the anniversary.  They have been doing all kinds of stuff and you can read about it on their website.

Looking at the website gets me excited for America 250.  Some of the signature events are The Buckeye Train and Transportation Celebration (sold out, darn!), Ohio’s Homecoming and Picnic in July, and Ohio Goes to the Movies, featuring actors, directors, locations, and movies from Ohio.  The website has a map that showcases hundreds of murals across Ohio and another map that shows 3,000+ graves of Revolutionary War veterans buried in Ohio.

I love lists of places to visit and the commission has gone all out putting together different kinds of trail that showcase Ohio history and innovation.  The Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail highlights the importance of waterways in the state.  You can visit the 18 Ohio lighthouses on Lake Erie or the almost 60 locks on the canals built in the state.  The Ohio Air and Space Trail covers Ohio’s aviation history.

Ohio’s Creativity Trail highlights creativity in a variety of mediums.  You can visit sites near you or put together a journey based on a certain kind of creative venture:  music, books, glass and pottery, carousels.  The Ohio Innovation Trail celebrates the can-do spirit of turning imagination into reality.  The trail showcases everything from the childhood homes of inventors to locations that feature world-changing inventions.

Looking at all these things to do in Ohio makes me realize that I don’t have to go to DC or Philadelphia to celebrate America 250.  There is plenty to celebrate here in my home state.  By the way, did you know the word for a 250th anniversary is semiquincentennial?  That just rolls off the tongue!  Easier to say America 250.

What are your plans for America 250?  How are you thinking about celebrating?