As a museum pro, you’re no doubt aware the United States semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, is right around the corner in 2026. For museums of all kinds, it’s an opportunity to craft programs and exhibitions that reflect our nation’s journey, its diversity, and its future. Some folks have been planning since 2019! But no matter where you are in the process, the question remains:
How do you capture 250 years of history in ways that will resonate with today’s audiences?
Let’s explore some ideas along with other useful questions to guide your efforts.
What Stories Need to Be Told?
Every community has its own chapter in America’s larger story. What narratives have been overlooked or underrepresented in your museum’s collections? Consider diving deep into the local impact of historical moments of the micro and macro variety. What partnerships (local schools, libraries, or other cultural organizations) can help you uncover and highlight untold stories?
Related read: Virginia Museums Partner for Major Exhibition on America’s 250th Anniversary
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the America250 Foundation, which is spearheading national efforts for the semiquincentennial. Their focus on inclusivity and community engagement can provide a framework for your own initiatives.
How Can We Make It Personal?
Audiences connect with history when it feels personal. Can you incorporate oral histories, personal artifacts, or multimedia storytelling into your exhibitions? Your museum might collect stories from community members about how their ancestors contributed to building the nation. These stories can be displayed through interactive kiosks or digital archives, creating a living history that visitors can relate to. AASLH literally wrote the book on this stuff: The Oral History Manual is “a comprehensive and user-friendly book designed to take novice or experienced oral historians through the entire life cycle of creating an oral history project, from idea through planning, interviewing, caring for, and making oral history interviews accessible.”
Digital platforms like StoryCorps can be invaluable here, too, with tools to capture and share personal narratives.
What Role Does Art Play in Telling the Nation’s Story?
Art has always been a powerful medium for reflecting and shaping national identity. How about a call for contemporary artists to interpret the nation’s 250-year journey? Temporary exhibits can showcase works that explore themes of resilience, progress, and identity.
You might also explore how historical art from your collection can be reinterpreted in the context of today’s conversations about equity, inclusion, and belonging. And partnering with local artists or art schools (never a bad idea) can further broaden the reach and impact of your program.
And maybe it goes without saying, but using art for storytelling isn’t limited to art museums. Last week, we shared an article about History Colorado’s shift in strategy to include works from living artists throughout exhibitions in all 11 of the museum system’s facilities and historic sites. “There are moments in our history where the words can’t reach, and that is why we need the arts sometimes to tell those aspects of our history,” said Dawn DiPrince, History Colorado’s president and CEO.
Can Technology Help Bring the Past to Life?
Immersive technologies can transform how visitors experience history. The 250th could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to introduce a bit of tech into the mix. Imagine a digital simulation of key moments from 1776, or an AR-enhanced gallery where visitors can see historical artifacts in their original context. Need a little inspo?
- See how the Getty used AR to reveal the history of an ancient bronze statue.
- Explore an exhibit on the 75th anniversary of D-Day that used a HistoPad so visitors could manipulate 3D virtual relics, see unpublished photographs and archival films, interact with animated maps, and learn the destinies of D-Day heroes.
- Check out Riddle Mia This, a gamified take from the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
- Consider a special online/digital exhibit (lots of user-friendly platforms here). “Rewriting Representation” is a good example.
- Ideate further with inspiration from how museums are using AR lately.
- Attend the upcoming virtual conference from MuseumNext on Digital Exhibitions, highlighting trends, strategies, and inspiring projects from around the globe.
Smaller museums with smaller budgets might look into options like Qlone, Intuiface, Sketchfab, StoryMaps, Slices, and open-source AR platforms. As with any tech, you have to consider the value-add to the experience — is it providing engagement, education, and enjoyment in a way you couldn’t otherwise achieve? If so, proceed. If not, well …
One variable that comes with a fair amount of anecdotal evidence: It can be difficult to get visitors to install a new app on their personal devices. Proceed with caution and consider the value-add question once more.
How Can We Involve the Community?
In some ways, the semiquincentennial is as much about the future as it is about the past. How can you inspire the next generation to engage with history?
Consider your community in the planning stages. I like this example, which can be tailored to exhibition or program planning, forming community advisory groups, etc.:
When the museum was in its planning stages, it undertook two unusual initiatives: First, it asked the public (which is aging similarly to that of the United States) what it looked forward to in its new national museum. Then, it built a staff that mirrored the demographics of the nation, not only in race and cultures, but also in age. This formula made all the difference, especially when it brought “concept teams” to the table for exhibit development, with each member weighing in with their individual perspective. This balance of perspectives was an essential investment in the end product, the exhibit itself. Throughout the planning, “seniors” were considered a specific and key segment of audience evaluation efforts, and their input led to things like large font and robust visitor services, including places to sit and reflect. These results emerged from a core value recognizing the importance of appealing to generational needs and interests. (Source: The Intergenerational Museum)
Hosting intergenerational workshops, youth art contests, or public forums can create a sense of shared ownership over the anniversary. What about a collaborative community mural? Take a look at Your Story, Our Story at the Tenement Museum for a great way to involve communities digitally. Here are some other community program ideas:
- Living history demonstrations
- Oral history recording sessions or artifact sharing events
- Photography contests focused on local landmarks
- Special events tied to significant historical dates in your area
Related read: Rebrand Your Existing Events for the 250th
As you plan for 2026, ask yourself and your team: What kind of legacy do we want to leave? How can we use this milestone to spark meaningful dialogue and inspire action? Embrace creativity, collaboration, and community to make America’s 250th anniversary as vibrant and diverse as our nation itself.
For additional inspiration, visit:
- IMLS for funding opportunities and resources
- Culture Link Communications 250th Inspiration Project
- AASLH for comprehensive resources and handbook for commemorating America’s semiquincentennial
