U.S. 250th Resources
Maryland 250 Commemoration
The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (HCWHA) has hosted three online gatherings to discuss 250th planning. The recorded January 2023 U.S. 250th online session focused on how municipalities can engage with the anniversary and participants were also invited to share their progress in preparing for the 250th. The recorded January 2024 U.S. 250th virtual convening gathered municipalities, museums, historic sites and more from Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties to discuss planning for the U.S. 250th. The recorded July 2024 U.S. 250th virtual convening included updates from Frederick, Washington, and Carroll counties related to the 250th and more! Below are the resources that were shared during the meetings.
Helpful Guides:
- The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is a national professional association dedicated to helping the history community thrive. For the better part of a century, AASLH has provided leadership and resources to its members who preserve and interpret history to make the past more meaningful to all people. This guide explores themes for the 250th commemoration and planning for the Semiquincentennial.
AASLH Launching a Commission Guide
- This guide explores strategies for forming a Semiquincentennial commission, including appointing commissioners, funding considerations, and creating themes.
AASLH 250th Anniversary Program Handbook
- This handbook features more than 30 low-cost, sustainable program ideas to help organizations planning to commemorate the United States' Semiquincentennial anniversary. Developed specifically for smaller institutions, this publication provides both inspiration and practical examples that any institution can use to connect to the 250th commemoration.
- America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the Semiquincentennial, or the 250th anniversary of our country. This resource guide is to inform the state, territory, national and tribal partners about federal grants.
Preservation Maryland State Funding Guide
- Preservation Maryland is a non-profit harnessing the power of historic places by revitalizing and reinvesting in communities, advocating, and building the historic trades workforce for the benefit of all Marylanders. This guide provides information on financial resources, technical assistance, county-specific resources, and case studies.
Semiquincentennial Funding:
- The Semiquincentennial Grant Program was created by Congress in 2020 to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States by restoring and preserving sites and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places that commemorate the founding of the nation. Historic resources supported by this program may include those associated with the political ideas, well-known individuals, pivotal events, or sites of conflict typically thought of in conjunction with this period of American history.
Pomeroy Foundation Signage Grants
- The William G. Pomeroy Foundation is committed to supporting the celebration and preservation of community history, and working to improve the probability of finding appropriate donor matches or other life-saving treatments for blood cancer patients. The foundation provides grants for historical societies with limited resources, professional development for small history organizations, technology upgrades for small history organizations, and celebrations of significant national milestones in American history.
Preservation Maryland Heritage Fund
- The Heritage Fund is a cooperative effort of Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust, which provides direct assistance for the protection of historical and cultural resources and promotes innovative demonstration projects that can be successfully replicated to meet Maryland's historic preservation needs.
Maryland State Arts Council Grants
- The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is an agency of the State of Maryland's Department of Commerce that plays an essential role, ensuring every person has access to the transformative power of the arts. Explore MSAC funding and programs by applicant type.
- Visit Frederick (Tourism Council of Frederick County, Inc.) provides Frederick County, MD non-profit organizations or government agencies promoting tourism with the Frederick County Tourism Reinvestment in Promotion and Product (TRIPP) program. Through this program, a portion of the hotel tax revenue received by Visit Frederick will be allocated to cover certain marketing activities and to provide tourism product development grants for Frederick County non-profit organizations.
DAR America 250 Patriots Marker
- The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Patriots Marker program has been established to honor the memory of the men and women with whom we have a scared compact to ensure that these United States of America continue as a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Institute of Museum and Library Services 250th Funding
- IMLS, in partnership with the America 250 Foundation, is pleased to share information about IMLS funding opportunities that are primed to support Semiquincentennial projects. https://www.imls.gov/webinars/imls-funding-opportunities-support-semiquincentennial-activities
Other Important Sites and Information:
- Visit the new website to sign up for communications or find information about the 250th celebration. Keep an eye out for updates and the opportunity to tell your story.
Maryland 250 Commission Virtual Statewide Convenings and Office Hours Schedule
Each virtual convening will begin with a brief presentation; then, stakeholders will have an opportunity to share updates on the status of their 250th planning; and there will be an opportunity to ask questions of stakeholders from around the state. Additional topics planned include launching a local 250th Commission; funding and marketing for the 250th; service opportunities for the 250th; civic engagement and the 250th; and history.
- Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 3:00 pm
- Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 3:00 pm
- Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 3:00 pm
- Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 3:00 pm
- Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 3:00 pm
- Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 3:00 pm
- Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 3:00 pm
Virtual office hours are planned monthly, beginning on Wednesday, February 28, at 3:00 pm. Simply sign up and show up with your questions or challenges related to the 250th, or join if you would like to know what others are asking.
- Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 3:00pm
- Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 3:00pm
- Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 3:00pm
- Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 3:00pm
- Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 3:00pm
- Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 3:00pm
- Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 3:00pm
- Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 3:00pm
- Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 3:00pm
- Find more resources for Semiquincentennial planning.
- This database is a listing of activities being sponsored by nonprofit and community organizations meant to serve as inspiration for Semiquincentennial planners.
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