America 250 Series presented by Xfinity
Join us during Summer 2026 for a special series of events to celebrate a big milestone in United States history – the semiquincentennial! It’s been 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and that is something to celebrate. If you would like to learn more about this anniversary or explore other regional or national events, we invite you to visit the Washington State America 250 page and the National America 250 page.
The Historic Trust will be presenting a series of three FREE events throughout the summer to honor this milestone.
Celebrate with pride! Display this printable PDF American Flag in your home or office, and save the schedule so you can join us for all our summer and America 250 events!
See America Raffle Sponsor
The Historic Trust is partnering with Alaska Airlines to give you a chance to See America! Enter for your chance to win two (2) round-trip tickets for travel in the Americas, including North and Central America and Hawaii. Visit our raffle page for full details, terms, and conditions.
Flag Day
June 14 | 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm | O. O. Howard House
America 250 Celebration – in partnership with the City of Vancouver and National Park Service
July 3 | 12:00 pm | Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds
Constitution Day – in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Clark County
September 17 | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Artillery Barracks
Let’s celebrate democracy!
One of the founding documents of the United States of America – The Constitution – is “the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.”
The Historic Trust and League of Women Voters of Clark County are partnering on a free, multi-generational public civic engagement event highlighting the history of the Constitution and how it impacts everyday life in the United States. Planned activities include speakers, a Constitution trivia game, and a craft table supplied with items for writing a personal constitution, including quill pens to try out.
Free pocket constitutions available to the first 100 people courtesy of Riverview Bank.
Schedule of Events, 4:00pm – 8:00pm:
Artillery Barracks, 600 Hatheway Rd. Vancouver WA 98661
4:00 – 4:45 pm
John Jay, How the Constitution was Put Together in One Summer
John Jay is a marketing professional with more than a decade of experience in marketing, political campaigns, and public affairs. He was elected to the Clark County Charter Review Commission in 2025 and also serves on the Vancouver Planning Commission. He has taught at Clark College and held a variety of community leadership roles in Clark County. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.
4:45 pm – 6:00 pm
Activities including: Can you Pass the Citizenship Test? Kahoot Game
Kahoot is a live, interactive digital game that you can use on your phone. Everyone votes in real time, and after the round ends the answer will be revealed.
6:00 – 6:45 pm
Melissa Williams, Ed. D., The Fourteenth Amendment: A Constitution in and of Itself
Melissa Williams is a lifelong resident of Vancouver and a community historian who researches African American history in Clark County. She is a Clark College alumna who earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in Public History from Washington State University. Over the past 20 years she has contributed to projects for organizations including the Vancouver NAACP, Portland State University, Oregon Historical Society, and Clark County Historical Museum. Williams’ career is in higher education, and she currently serves as Policy Associate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
6:45 – 7:30 pm
Carolyn Long, Ph. D., The Bill of Rights + What Does the Constitution Mean Today
Dr. Long is an associate professor in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs and former Sam Reed Distinguished Professor in Civic Education and Public Civility. Her research interests focus on American Institutions, Public Law and American Public Policy. She has taught courses on the American Constitution, Civil Liberties, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, The Judicial Process, Administrative Jurisprudence, Congressional Politics, Public Policy and American Institutions at WSUV since 1995.
7:30 – 8:00 pm Roundtable discussions
We hope you’ll join us for a fun and engaging evening!
Funding is part of Grant No. 07 79 07797 awarded by United States Economic Development Administration and provided by the Industry Sector Development Program of the Washington State Department of Commerce. This grant program is administered by the Washington State Historical Society under contract with the Washington State Department of Commerce.
