Watch "The American Revolution" at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building
2026-04-29 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, 1201 Brazos St., Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Come to the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building next to the Texas Capitol and view a 50-minute showing of excerpts from Ken Burns’ film The American Revolution, focusing on military history. About the series: Thirteen American colonies unite in rebellion, win an eight-year war to secure their independence, and establish a new form of government that would inspire democratic movements at home and around the globe.
Attendees are encouraged to register online at https://forms.office.com/r/ipWmF2G4YW.

"My America...What it Means to Me" Quilt Exhibit
2026-04-30 10:00 - 2026-08-22 16:00 | Texas Quilt Museum, 140 W Colorado Street, La Grange, TX, 78945, United States
This distinctive exhibit showcases both traditional and contemporary art quilts created by artists whose personal visions of what America means to them are expressed through the art of quilting.

Heritage After Dark
2026-04-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Jimmy and Clara Jones Park, 6103 Page St., Frisco, TX, 75034, United States
In honor of America’s 250th Birthday, the Frisco Heritage Museum proudly presents the Liberty Lantern Trail—a stunning nighttime journey illuminated by 250 glowing lanterns, beginning at Jones Park and concluding at the historic Heritage Center. Each lantern shines as a symbol of liberty, with every tenth lantern highlighting a key moment of the American Revolution—from the first shots at Lexington and Concord, to Paul Revere’s daring ride, to the bravery at Bunker Hill, and culminating in the victory at Yorktown.
Along the trail, guests will encounter live music and historical interpreters dressed in authentic period attire, bringing the Revolutionary era to life in an unforgettable way. Two themed mocktail stations will offer refreshing, family?friendly beverages that add to the celebratory spirit of the evening. In honor of the America 250 celebration, visitors can also enjoy a special commemorative giveaway exclusive to this event. As you walk the glowing path, you’ll not only learn America’s story—you’ll feel connected to it. The Liberty Lantern Trail invites all to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead together as part of a nationwide tribute to 250 years of liberty.

America250 Lewisville Arts - Celebrating creativity and country on the Plaza!
2026-05-02 14:00 - 17:00 | Wayne Ferguson Plaza, 151 W. Church Street, Lewisville, TX, 75057, United States
Each of Greater Lewisville Arts Alliance (GLAA’) 10 arts organizations representing theater, ballet, art, vocal and instrumental music will have a presentation with a patriotic theme. The two arts organizations will have an art activity for children. Children will also be given small American flags to wave. We will celebrate America250 with an outdoor Americana picnic and stage show in our community park. We will promote attendance from North Texas and beyond to honor our symphony’s TCA grant to represent the 26th Congressional District and our City of Lewisville grant for tourism.
The venue is in historic Old Town Lewisville, Texas founded in the 1840’s.

H-E-B Free First Sunday: Festivals
2026-05-03 10:00 - 17:00 | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Join us at the Bullock Museum for a full day of festival-themed fun celebrating the spirit of community and culture. The museum will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with special activities taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. throughout all museum spaces.
Enjoy a variety of engaging experiences, including a patriotic music concert by the Austin Philharmonic Orchestra at 12:00 p.m. in the Lobby. Families can explore hands-on STEM activities with Girlstart in the second-floor lobby, and younger visitors are invited to a Storytime and Craft session with the Austin Public Library at 10:30 a.m.
Come celebrate festivals, creativity, and community with activities for all ages!

US 250 Tour in Texas!
2026-05-05 10:00 - 21:00 | The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX, https://us250tour.com/, United States
The U.S. 250 Tour is coming to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas on May 5, and you are invited to a massive celebration of heritage and harmony! Don’t miss this historic nationwide journey toward America’s 250th Anniversary, offering an immersive experience filled with patriotic pride, family fun, and incredible live music. This celebration is one of the stops of this historic nationwide tour during the United States Semiquincentennial.

Echoes of Home
2026-05-05 19:30 | Ruth Taylor Recital Hall, Trinity University, 1 Trinity Pl, San Antonio, TX, 78212, United States
Selected by the Texas Commission on the Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, to represent Texas’s 20th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the America 250 initiative, SOLI is proud to present a program that showcases composers and performers who live and create within our own district, as well as artists who reflect the broader American mosaic.

Heart of the Hills Center
2026-05-08 08:00 - 17:00 | Heart of the Hills Heritage Center, 529 Water St., Kerrville, TX, 78028, United States
Heart of the Hills Heritage Center. Kerrville’s newest museum opens a temporary exhibit focused on the 250th anniversary of the United States. hhheritagecenter.org

Freedom Plane National Tour
2026-05-08 09:00 - 2026-05-25 17:00 | Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
The National Archives presents a traveling exhibition bringing seven original Founding-era documents to eight U.S. cities in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the Freedom Plane National Tour makes documents fundamental to America’s founding accessible to communities across the country, offering a rare opportunity to experience these historic records up close as the nation reflects on 250 years of independence.
The Freedom Plane will make a stop at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from May 8 – May 25, 2026.

Second Saturday: Becoming the United States
2026-05-09 10:00 - 17:00 | Frisco Heritage Center, 6455 Page St, Frisco, TX, 75034, United States
Celebrate Becoming the United States with a special Second Saturday program designed for families and visitors of all ages. This free event brings the exhibit to life through hands-on crafts, engaging story times, and interactive experiences inspired by America’s early history. Guests can meet costumed historical characters, snap memorable photos in themed photo booths, and explore activities that highlight the people, ideas, and moments that shaped the nation’s founding. It’s a lively and welcoming way to connect with the exhibit while learning, creating, and celebrating together. 10am-3pm Frisco Heritage Center

Texas Girl Scout Songfest
2026-05-09 13:00 | Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Texas Girl Scout Songfest is a statewide celebration of Girl Scout spirit, sisterhood, and song, bringing together all seven Texas Girl Scout Councils.
This event aligns with Texas America250, the nationwide commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, by honoring the values of unity, civic engagement, and cultural heritage through music and community. Connection to America250: Songfest embodies the America250 vision by fostering patriotism, inclusivity, and historical appreciation. Singing traditional Girl Scout and American folk songs at the Texas State Capitol creates a powerful moment of shared history and pride, echoing the themes of freedom and democracy that America250 seeks to highlight. Activities & Highlights: -Statewide Sing-Along: Girl Scouts from across Texas will gather on the Capitol steps to sing traditional Girl Scout songs and American classics. -SWAPS Exchange: Participants will trade SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere), a beloved Girl Scout tradition. -Council Showcases: Informational booths and demonstrations highlighting each council’s unique traditions and programs. -Friendship Circle & Closing Ceremony: A Texas-sized circle to celebrate unity and sisterhood.
Event Agenda:
• 12:00 – 1:00 PM: Check-in at the Great Walk, receive songbook and patch, BYO picnic lunch
• 1:00 – 3:00 PM: Sing-along with Girl Scouts from across Texas at the Capitol Steps
• 3:00 – 4:00 PM: Texas-sized friendship circle, closing ceremony, SWAPS, Clean Up

KLRN Educator Session: The American Revolution | Spring 2026 Session
2026-05-14 18:00 - 20:00 | World Heritage Center, 3106 Roosevelt Ave., San Antonio, TX, 78214, United States
Join KLRN and the World Heritage Center on May 14, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m., for a virtual professional development educator session featuring teaching resources available on PBS LearningMedia from the documentary “The American Revolution” by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. Our special guest speaker will be Stephanie Statz, Ph.D., of San Antonio’s World Heritage Center. Stay tuned for information about our Fall 2026 Educator Session on The American Revolution, which will be offered in September 2026.
Two (2) hours of continuing education credit will be awarded upon completion of the session and accompanying post survey.
Thank you to the Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation for supporting this event.

Laredo Chapter Granaderos y Damas de Gálvez America250 presentation series
2026-05-14 18:30 - 21:00 | Eduardo’s BBQ Steaks & Mexican Grill, 6516 Arena Blvd, Laredo, TX, 78041, United States
Please join us for our upcoming Laredo Chapter Granaderos y Damas de Gálvez Hybrid Meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2026, as we continue our popular America250 presentation series highlighting the states connected to Bernardo de Gálvez and Spain’s vital support of the American Revolution.
This month we are honored to welcome:
Natalie Steed
Development Officer, American Village
Executive Officer, Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission
who will present:
“Alabama’s America250 Initiatives”
Natalie Steed is an accomplished project director and organizational leader with broad experience in the banking, telecommunications, health, education, service, and nonprofit sectors. Her leadership style combines creativity, compassion, and analytical skill, helping organizations grow while fostering strong teamwork and public engagement.
Her presentation will highlight Alabama’s plans and initiatives for the upcoming Semiquincentennial celebration, while also recognizing the historic role Alabama played during the American Revolution—particularly the campaigns in which Bernardo de Gálvez and Spanish forces defeated the British along the Gulf Coast.
This will be another excellent installment in our America250 series as we continue exploring the broader story of American independence.
Two Ways to Attend
In Person:
Eduardo’s BBQ Steaks & Mexican Grill
6516 Arena Blvd, Laredo, TX

6:00 PM – Social time & dinner (optional, self-pay)
6:30 PM – Chapter Business Meeting
7:00 PM – Presentation Begins

Via Zoom:
• 6:30 PM – Chapter Business Meeting (optional)
• 7:00 PM – Presentation Begins
Click the link and follow the Zoom prompts to enter the meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82030520472?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 820 3052 0472
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Evolution Car Show
2026-05-16 10:00 - 15:00 | Louise Hays Park, 202 Thompson Drive, Kerrville, TX, 78028, United States
Evolution Car Show. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Louise Hays Park, 202 Thompson Drive, Kerrville. Free to attend. American-made cars will line up in order by model year. Co-sponsored by Gibson’s Discount Center and Ken Stoepel Ford.

SPARK! Places of Innovation
2026-05-16 10:00 - 2026-06-28 16:00 | Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett St., Kerrville, TX, 78028, United States
This traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program explores innovation and invention in rural America. A companion exhibit featuring innovations and creativity developed in Kerr County will accompany SPARK!. The exhibits will be on display at the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center. Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Bluff SchuetzenFest 2026
2026-05-16 12:00 - 17:00 | Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites, 414 State Loop 92, La Grange, TX, 78945, United States
Step back in time to the historic Bluff SchuetzenFest, where shooting kings reigned, beer taps flowed, and families forgot their worries for a day. Experience our annual festival honoring the legacy of brewmaster Heinrich Kreische and his thriving German-Texan community. The event includes a 5K at 8 am then the festivities start at noon. The main event is a beer fest, live music, food, and activities for all ages. Our location has Monument Hill which commemorates Texans killed in the 1842 Dawson Massacre and the 1843 Black Bean Lottery of the Mier Expedition.

Save Your Story: Oral History Workshop
2026-05-16 14:00 - 15:30 | TX
Oral histories are crucial to understanding the history of Brazoria County. In this presentation and workshop, you will hear first-hand accounts from those who lived on these plantation sites over the past centuries. Site Educators will then teach visitors how to record quality oral histories of their own and demonstrate how to us the online platform, Storycorps. Bring someone along whose story you want to save or just take notes to bring on your next visit to Grandma’s house.

Texas America250 Traveling Exhibit
2026-05-18 08:00 - 2026-09-15 17:00 | UTRGV University Library, One W. University Blvd, Brownsville, TX, 78520, United States
The Texas America250 Traveling Exhibit will be on display at the UTRGV University Library on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. Visitors can view the exhibit by stopping by either campus library, where it is located on the 3rd floor at both locations. The exhibit will run from May 2026 through September 2026 and is free to attend.

Special Exhibit: Bypassed by Freedom but Building a Legacy
2026-05-23 09:00 - 2026-09-06 17:00 | San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, 220 2nd St., San Felipe, TX, 77473, United States
As we celebrate the holiday weekend, please join us as we showcase our special exhibit, “Bypassed by Freedom but Building a Legacy,” highlighting the stories of the enslaved in San Felipe de Austin. Starting Saturday, May 23rd, learn about five different people who lived in San Felipe de Austin under enslavement: Mary Marks, Turner Morgan, Celia Allen, Joe Travis, and Simon Austin. Each of these people impacted the town’s story in numerous ways. From witnessing the Battle of the Alamo to being the subject of the first trial-by-jury in Texas, these people’s legacies go far beyond the years they lived. From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, learn how history was shaped by them and what more there is yet to uncover about their lives. The exhibit will be available during normal museum hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

Stars, Stripes & Storefronts
2026-05-25 14:00 - 2026-07-04 17:00 | Meredith Memorial Football Stadium, 1040 W. Loop 564, Mineola, TX, 75773, United States
Businesses in Mineola have been asked to decorate their windows and/or storefronts in honor of the semiquincentennial. The winner will receive a gift basket that will include “A Culinary Journey Through Texas History – A Texas Historic Sites Cookbook,” published by the Texas Historic Commission, among other things.

ATxH 2026 Annual Conference
2026-05-27 15:15 - 2026-05-29 15:15 | Texas Christian University, 2800 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX, 76109, United States
The 2026 Annual Conference of the Alliance for Texas History features a session titled “RESEARCHING AMERICA’S 250TH: ARCHIVAL FINDS FOR TEXAS HISTORIANS AT THE AMERICAN SEMISESQUICENTENNIAL.” It features a chair and four presenters from major archival resources.

Southeast Texas in World War I
2026-05-28 19:00 | Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, 650 FM 1011, Liberty, TX, 77575, United States
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center (SHC) will host a special event with author Stephen Cure on World War I and Southeast Texas on Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. In addition, visitors can experience a special display of historic items related to World War I from the collections of the Sam Houston Center and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin. At the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty, Texas. For more information email SamHoustonCenter@tsl.texas.gov.

Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
2026-05-29 08:00 - 17:00 | Mineola Civic Center, 1150 N. Newsom Street
Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Members will be dressed in attire appropriate to the period.

America 250: Celebrating our journey to 250 years!
2026-05-29 08:00 - 2026-09-29 17:00 | UTRGV University Library, One W. University Blvd, Brownsville, TX, 78520, United States
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the UTRGV University Library. The Library has created a digital poster exhibit commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, featuring curated resources from government publications, library collections, and Special Collections & Archives. The exhibit connects national history to the Rio Grande Valley by highlighting significant military and political events, notable local historical figures, and recommended readings.
To complement the exhibit, the Library has developed a LibGuide. You can access the LibGuide and digital poster by visiting the link below and exploring the Library’s America 250 page, which also features additional curated resources and information on upcoming activities related to the 250th anniversary celebration:
https://www.utrgv.edu/library/single-pages/america-250/index.htm
In addition, the America 250: Celebrating Our Journey to 250 Years! poster is on display at the UTRGV University Library on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. Visitors can view the exhibit on the 3rd floor at each location. The exhibit will be available from May 2026 through September 2026 and is free to attend.

Music in the Chamber with Austin Baroque Orchestra
2026-05-29 19:30 - 20:30 | George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco, TX, 75934, United States
To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, each concert in the 2026 series features music from a 50-year period in American history, spanning from 1776 to 2026!
Soloists from the renowned Austin Baroque Orchestra present “Close Encounters of the Colonial Kind,” evoking the sonic world of colonial North America in a commemoration of the first 50 years after American independence.
Featuring replicas of instruments from the 18th century and music from the four colonial powers — England, Spain, France, and the Netherlands — listeners will enjoy popular songs by late composers Ignacio Jerusalem, Jean-Baptiste Lully, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Alexander Reinagle, and more.
Whether sounds from the cathedrals of New Spain, or the Ursuline Convent in New Orleans, or melodies originating in the small settlement of New Amsterdam, or the Revolutionary-War-era streets of Boston, this program invites the audience to consider how musical traditions crossed oceans, transformed cultures, and took root in American soil amid the complexities of colonial life.

American Experiment: Pursuing Our Promise (NARA Exhibit)
2026-05-30 09:00 - 2026-08-02 17:00 | LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St., Austin, TX, 78705, United States
Through an exceptional partnership with the National Archives and Records Administration and the Briscoe Center for American History, the Library showcases extraordinary original documents that have shaped the course of American history. Across four rotating exhibitions, visitors will encounter defining moments—from the Brown v. Board of Education decision and the Fourteenth Amendment to the Louisiana Purchase and the Wright Brothers’ Flying Machine Patent.

On view from June through January, this once-in-a-lifetime experience pairs these iconic artifacts with dynamic public programs featuring leading historians, authors, and thought leaders. Together, they explore how the American story has unfolded over 250 years—and where it may go next.

Mineola Historical Museum Celebrates
2026-06-01 08:00 - 2026-06-30 17:00 | Mineola Historical Museum, 114 N Pacific St, Mineola, TX, 75773, United States
The public is invited to pose with the colorful Celebrate America250 signs situated to be able to be seen on Highway 69 from all directions. The history display are included amongst our state award-winning displays showcasing our historic Select Theater (Texas oldest continuously-operating moviehouse), Wisener Field Airport (the oldest privately owned airport still owned by the same family), military contributions, the railroad, commerce, celebrities and schools in our town.

Petits Texans: French Language & History Camp
2026-06-01 09:00 - 2026-07-05 12:00 | French Legation State Historic Site, 802 San Marcos Street, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Petits Texans are invited to join the French Legation’s half day French Language & History Camp. This passport to frontier Texas is lead in partnership with Education Française Austin teachers to guide ages 8 through 10 on a fun learning journey to explore where Texas meets France. Celebrating French and Texan cultures through the lens of history during America 250. Programs and activities include cultural activities from historic games to songs, and crepe making to French language, and everything in between!

Juneteenth Conference
2026-06-04 10:00 - 17:00 | TX
The Lone Star College-Tomball Center for Civic Engagement is hosting a virtual Juneteenth Conference on June 4, 2026. This year, our country is celebrating its 250th anniversary. Juneteenth is a defining moment in both U.S. and Texas history. Five years ago, the United States Congress passed legislation to create the Juneteenth National Independence Day holiday. The purpose of this event is to inform the public about this holiday and its place in U.S. and Texas history.
Attendees will be able to:
Trace the history of Juneteenth
Explain what happened on June 19, 1865
Recognize important historical figures associated with Juneteenth
Discuss the future of the Juneteenth holiday and education
This event is free and open to the public.

Legacy in the Making: Scanning and Oral History Recording
2026-06-06 10:00 - 15:00 | Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site, 10510 FM 524, Brazoria, TX, 77422, United States
Do you have a passed down story to share? Do you have photographs of your ancestors in Brazoria County? Site educators will assist you in creating quality scans and recordings of your passed down stories, artifacts, pictures, and more. You will get full scans and recordings to keep for your records! Timeslots must be requested in advance.
During your time slot you can:
– Have your photographs scanned (photographs should relate to family or local history)
– Record an oral history
– Have an artifact photographed
Request a slot by contacting our staff by calling (979-798-2202). Slots are available at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm on each day the program is held.
