Ways to Engage in Georgia US250

Use the following ideas as inspiration for your programming in alignment with the mission of the Georgia US250 Commission.

Commemorate important national and local events.

Plan a reading of the Declaration of Independence in your community on July 4, 2026.
Work with your local organizations to identify and highlight important events and people in your community.
Plan a new commemorative event or add Revolutionary themes, activities, and costumed living historians to an established annual event.

Celebrate local creativity by hosting an area artist, musician, dancer, or poet for a 250th-themed installation or performance.
Curate in-person or online exhibitions to examine moments across 250 years that define the unique experiences of Georgians.
Develop a traveling exhibit with easily transportable panels, banners, or a limited number of artifacts to temporarily display at various locations in your community. If you don’t have the resources to create your own traveling exhibit, consider hosting one from another organization.

Host a historical or cultural game night. Look online for examples of historical games, or consult with a local cultural group to learn about their traditional pastimes.
Host a history trivia night at a local restaurant or venue.
Create a walking tour or scavenger hunt that allows community members to connect photographs, documents, and objects with significant places in your community. Encourage them to take pictures in front of these historic places and post them on social media.
Host a Revolutionary-themed children’s or family storytime and include a craft activity that connects to the story.
Start a book club and host discussions on topics related to your community’s history.

Sponsor an essay or speaking contest for local students by creating a prompt and encouraging contestants to use local history to explore it.
Partner with a local scouting group to offer a program that will help them earn a badge or work on a local 250th-related project.
Host the local edition of a National History Day or Civics Day showcase to display students’ research projects.
Create a kid-friendly booklet or worksheet to guide them through your exhibitions or community.
Plan a field trip to teach students about local history, and create opportunities for them to interact with the places, objects, and documents they explore.

Host a living history demonstration or historical reenactment.
Create hands-on activities for visitors to experience what life was like during Colonial Georgia.
Lead a nature walk and highlight your region’s natural landscapes from 250 years ago.
Develop a program or story walk about the revival of iconic species of state and nation, such as the bald eagle.

Download "Making History at 250: The Field Guide for the Semiquincentennial" produced by the American Association for State and Local History. The guide offers five themes for the commemoration: