Released: May 28, 2024
America’s 250th anniversary isn’t just a party thrown FOR us, it’s a party thrown BY us!
On July 4, 2026, Delaware County and counties across the nation will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States—the U.S. Semiquincentennial celebration. This provides counties all across the nation, and communities right here in Delaware County, a unique opportunity to reflect on our history, celebrate our achievements, and envision our future.
Delaware County and America 250PADelco is calling on residents, organizations, and community leaders to contribute their energy, ideas, and enthusiasm to ensure this celebration is memorable and truly represents the spirit and diversity of our community.
To help ensure the success of this celebration in Delaware County, America250PADelco is recruiting partners and collaborators to help develop the ‘Delco Semiquincentennial Celebration Plan’.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all of us to come together and create a celebration that reflects the unique history and vibrant future of Delaware County,” said America 250PADelco Director Andrea Silva. “We invite everyone to share their ideas and be a part of this historic event.”
Organizations, clubs, businesses, community groups, historical societies, and educational institutions are invited to partner with the County to make America250 an inclusive celebration in American history.
A wide variety of planning events will take place in the coming months, with additional events and sites identified throughout the year.
Interested? Please register at America250PADelco.Org/Events. If you would like to host a planning event in your community, please contact America250PADelco Director Andrea Silva by email at Andrea@america250padelco.org.
Delco Semiquincentennial Plan: Service & 250th Commemorations
June 5, 2024, 3:00 PM -5:00 PM
490 Darby Paoli Rd., Willows Park Preserve, Villanova, PA 19085
Interested partners and collaborators who want to organize programs, events, or activities to boost civic engagement or make 2026 a special commemoration are invited to participate in an interactive workshop to shape the ‘Delco Semiquincentennial Celebration Plan’.
American democracy thrives on active participation, voicing opinions, and making a difference through volunteering and public service. This journey toward the 250th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and envision the future we want for the next generation and beyond.
How will your Semiquincentennial program help build the future of Delco?
Delco Semiquincentennial Plan: Hidden History and Under-Represented Narratives
June 6, 2024, 12-2PM
1837 Township Dr, Cheyney University, Cheyney, PA 19319, USA
We are excited to host this meeting at Cheyney University, the first historically black college and university (HBCU) in America! Interested partners/collaborators who want to honor the contributions of ALL Americans are invited to help inform the “Delco Semiquincentennial Celebration Plan” through this workshop.
American Democracy is defined on our founding ideals – universal principles of equality and liberty. Our goal is to be the most inclusive commemoration in American history that honors the contributions of ALL. Stakeholders who want to organize programs, events or activities that promote the stories of traditionally marginalized groups, or are recovering and preserving sites, documents, and narratives important to the fuller history/story of Delco are invited.
How will your program ensure we celebrate and amplify lost voices or the underrepresented people and history of Delaware County in America’s 250th?
Delco Semiquincentennial Plan: 1724 Courthouse & Historic Waterfront
June 27, 2024, 12-2 PM
515 Avenue of the States, Downtown CAAT Center, Chester, PA 19013
Interested partners/collaborators who want to organize programs, events, and other activities along the Delaware River historic waterfront or in the Chester History Hub are invited to participate in an interactive workshop to find ways to include this area in the “Delco Semiquincentennial Celebration Plan”.
From Marcus Hook to Tinicum, Delaware County's riverfront is 'Where Pennsylvania Began'. This area of Delaware County has major historical importance, from the Declaration of Independence to the Underground Railroad, through World War II. Chester drove economic growth and American innovation from the PA’s founding to the Modern Age. Held in coordination with the Chester Economic Development Authority, participants will also learn about the Chester Creek Connector plan and its overlap in Chester History Hub.
How will residents and visitors engage with our Delaware River waterfront historic sites, parks and trails in our 2026 celebration and commemorations?
This program was made possible in part by funding from the Philadelphia Funding Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial.