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America at 250

America is celebrating its semiquincentennial in 2026. As we commemorate the 250th of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Indiana Humanities has developed and gathered opportunities for local conversations about our nation’s history.

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Voices and Votes

Exhibits

Smithsonian traveling exhibition highlighting democracy coming to Indiana

The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in partnership with Indiana Humanities, is bringing its traveling exhibition Voices and Votes: Democracy in America to small towns across the Hoosier state in 2026. 

Smithsonian traveling exhibition highlighting democracy coming to Indiana

Program Details

Civics and Democracy Speakers Bureau

Indiana Humanities’ upcoming thematic initiative focuses on American history, civics, and democracy in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Over several years, we will design and support humanities programs that help Hoosiers examine America’s founding principles, the history of American democracy, how Americans play a role in our system of government, and how citizens relate to one another to build the civic fabric of our nation.

We’ve curated a list of local speakers available to give talks during the 250th celebration in 2026. If you’re looking to be listed in the catalog of available speakers, or host a talk at your organization, follow the link to learn more.

Find a Speaker

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Screening Opportunities

Indiana Humanities, Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, and WFYI are supporting a series of screenings and conversations about the new PBS documentary series, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. Programs will take place during the semiquincentennial year, and feature screenings, conversations, panel discussions, and other opportunities to engage with America’s history and discover the guiding ideals that shaped our nation.

Find a program and explore resources
Corporate funding for The American Revolution was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support was provided by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. The American Revolution was made possible, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Voices and Votes

Indiana Humanities is sponsoring a tour of the Smithsonian’s Voices and Votes: Democracy in America exhibition! In 2026-2027, seven Indiana communities will host the exhibit for six weeks each and receive extensive training, funding and other resources from the expert staffs of the Smithsonian and Indiana Humanities. Each of the hosts will also curate a unique section of the exhibit that explores their community story of civic engagement.
View the Tour Schedule

Facilitating Conversations

We’ve collected a short list of readings and discussion questions that you can use to guide your own conversations about the 250th in your community. As you prepare to host 250th conversations, we encourage you to use texts to gather folks to discuss the big ideas that emerge from contemplating our history as a nation. Here are some big questions we’re thinking about as the 250th approaches:

  • America was revolutionary in its founding, especially in its statement of the equality of all people. Was the equality stated in the Declaration achieved? In what ways does the revolution continue today?
  • What big ideals were developed in the Declaration and how do they show up in your lives today? Do you feel connected to this document? Why or why not?
  • How do we balance the ideal of individual freedom with the commitments we make to others when we live in community together?
  • What responsibility do citizens have to their governments and to each other? What does it mean to live in a democracy, and what’s your role in it?
  • How connected do you feel to the history of America? Why does knowing this history matter to our lives, families, and communities?
Download the guide

Resources to Support 250th Programs

LOCAL RESOURCES

The Indiana Historical Society has developed several toolkit to support Indiana programming commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The U.S. 250th in Indiana – PLANNING FRAMEWORK
The Planning Framework contains contextual resources and information about the U.S. 250th and Indiana’s history, programming ideas for exploring and commemorating Indiana’s past, celebrating Indiana’s present, and aspiring towards Indiana’s future, as well as tips for creating legacy projects.

The U.S. 250 in Indiana – TOOLKIT AND RESOURCES
This Toolkit contains sample worksheets, templates, documents, and other resources that can be adapted to fit your needs and used as starting points to aid in program planning, fundraising, organizational visioning, and more.

NATIONAL RESOURCES

To encourage 250th anniversary programming that addresses the full sweep of our nation’s history and is relevant to present concerns, the American Association for State and Local History has developed Making History at 250: The Field Guide for the Semiquincentennial, a resource with guiding themes to help the history community prepare for 2026. Supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and created with the help of dozens of leading scholars, museum professionals, and public historians, these themes can provide cohesiveness to a multi-faceted, grassroots commemoration and entry-points for organizations all over the United States.

 

Partners

  • Indiana Humanities
  • Indiana Historical Society
  • Indiana State Library
  • Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations
  • WFYI

Questions

Contact Megan Telligman, director of programs:
mtelligman@indianahumanities.org | 219.405.4544

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