Though a year and a half away, Geauga County’s America 250 committee met Jan. 15 to start gearing up for the country’s semiquincentennial July 4, 2026.
Though a year and a half away, Geauga County’s America 250 committee met Jan. 15 to start gearing up for the country’s semiquincentennial July 4, 2026.
Ideas flew around the tables as more than 30 representatives from various government entities, local organizations and area agencies started to create a county-wide framework of events and efforts focused around Independence Day 2026.
Geauga County Commissioner Jim Dvorak started the ball rolling in December with information he gathered at the Ohio County Commissioners’ Winter Conference last year.
At the committee meeting last week, he partnered with Andrew Mizsak, president of the Geauga County Historical Society, who offered to serve as secretary and coordinate the various celebrations already in place.
“Send me your events. I’ll compile a master calendar and keep it going,” he said. “The key is to keep communicating.”
He proposed initiating a social media campaign to build awareness and enthusiasm. If people send in their favorite historical Geauga sites, they will be posted on the website along with a distinct logo for the project — yet to be designed.
The committee will work to be designated a member of the AM 250-OH Communities Program, which will provide an America 250 flag and other merchandise, Mizsak said.
Grants for the project may be available, he said.
Ruth Cavanagh, of South Russel Village, said she has been working on a grant application. She noted during the bicentennial celebration in 1976, Auburn Township had a covered wagon on display.
“A covered wagon sounds intriguing. Maybe the (Ohio) Farm Bureau can find one sitting in a barn,” Dvorak said.
Susan Parker, with the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce, suggested building up to July 4, 2026, by organizing multiple events around historic themes-of-the-month, such as transportation, education, employment, outdoor recreation and agriculture.
Dvorak said in an interview after the meeting he’s working on having a time capsule placed in a wall of the addition to the Geauga County Courthouse.
He also wants to include the Amish population, which makes up nearly 1/5th of Geauga County, in the planning process.
“I want an Amish contingent. We have about 19,000 Amish in Geauga County,” Dvorak said, noting it is the second largest Amish population in Ohio.
The committee will meet again at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Geauga County Library Administration Office.
The America 250 project, led by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, reached an agreement in August of 2021 with 20 federal agencies for cooperation on the multiyear effort. Hosted by the Library of Congress, an inter-agency memorandum of understanding was signed to support activities marking 250 years of American independence, according to the America 250 website.
The goal of the Ohio 250 commission is to have at least 250 communities designated as official AM 250-OH Communities, creating hundreds of engaging opportunities to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
“We are inviting all levels of communities (counties, cities, villages and townships) from across the state to apply to be an official AM 250-OH Community,” the site said. “This special designation from the AM 250-OH Commission provides an opportunity for local leaders to network, partner and exchange information with the state commission team. Communities will receive access to resources like digital toolkits, an online community platform and regular check-ins with other AM 250-OH Communities; recognition of your participation in AM250-OH celebrations and commemorations; as well as the opportunity to develop and grow professionally and personally.”
