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America’s 250th

A Yearlong Celebration
All levels
2026
America’s 250th
All levels
2026

Commemorating America’s 250th Birthday

Join the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites as we celebrate with a series of unforgettable events continuing all year long!

Bring your family to create personal connections to this important milestone in our country’s history. From the founding of Indiana’s oldest city to the drafting of the state’s first constitution and beyond, you can explore Indiana’s influence on America’s story, honor 250 years of Hoosiers’ contributions that helped shape our nation and imagine the possibilities for the future of our state.

Together with our network of state historic sites, we’re offering engaging, family-friendly events at nearly all our locations across the state. You can get a glimpse of 18th-century life in the Indiana Territory, see what it was like to plan for the American Revolution, discover our state’s connections to the anti-slavery movement and learn how the creativity and innovation of past Hoosiers still impact us today.

PLAN YOUR VISIT by REGION

CENTRAL REGION

Indianapolis • Fountain City

Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis

Celebrate the state’s pivotal role in the American story from frontier settlement to industrial innovation with hands-on programs and immersive experiences that provide opportunities for fun and learning.

  • America’s 250th Outdoor Summer Celebration
    Jun 27

    America’s 250th Outdoor Summer Celebration

    It’s an outdoor summer celebration for all ages!

    • All Ages
    • 2 – 6 pm
  • Tinkerfest
    Sep 19

    Tinkerfest

    Tinkerfest is a two-day celebration of curiosity and creativity!

    • All Ages
    • 10 am – 5 pm
  • Statehood Day
    Registration Required
    Dec 11

    Statehood Day

    We invite you to come celebrate Indiana’s birthday.

    • Grade 4 students
    • 10 am – 1 pm
  • Pinewood Derby Race and Best-in-Show Contest
    Apr 3

    Pinewood Derby Race and Best-in-Show Contest

    Participate in race day and best-in-show contest!

    • All Ages
    • 10 am – 5 pm
  • Pinewood Derby Fun Runs
    Mar 24 – Apr 4

    Pinewood Derby Fun Runs

    Get your cars ready to race!

    • All Ages
    • 10 am – 5 pm
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Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site, Fountain City

Celebrate America’s 250th through compelling events that honor the crucial role of the Underground Railroad and Indiana’s commitment to freedom and human rights.

  • Coffin Bicentennial Series: The Coffins and the Underground Railroad
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Jun 18

    Coffin Bicentennial Series: The Coffins and the Underground Railroad

    Discover the Coffin’s work on the Underground Railroad.

    • Ages 18+
    • 5:30 – 6:30 pm
  • Celebrate Independence!
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Jul 3

    Celebrate Independence!

    Bring the family and get into the Fourth of July spirit!

    • All Ages
    • 10 am – 1 pm
  • Coffin Bicentennial Series: Levi Coffin and Free Labor
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Aug 20

    Coffin Bicentennial Series: Levi Coffin and Free Labor

    What were the alternatives to slave-made goods?

    • Ages 18+
    • 5:30 – 6:30 pm
  • Homeschool Day: Catharine Coffin’s Sewing Circle
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 14

    Homeschool Day: Catharine Coffin’s Sewing Circle

    Discover how women were a major force in the fight against slavery.

    • All Ages
    • 1 – 4 pm
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NORTH REGION

Geneva • Rome City

Limberlost State Historic Site, Geneva

Take part in special programming that highlights the natural world that inspired Gene Stratton-Porter and reflects Indiana’s place in the broader American environmental and literary heritage.

  • Bioblitz
    Sep 12

    Bioblitz

    An all-day bioblitz at Loblolly Marsh to identify as many species as possible!

    • All Ages
    • 8 am – 8 pm
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Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, Rome City

Celebrate America’s 250th with programs that highlight the natural world that inspired Gene Stratton-Porter and her work.

  • If Trees Could Talk
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Jun 6

    If Trees Could Talk

    Find out about the trees in this newly designated Old Growth Forest.

    • All Ages
    • 10 – 11 am
  • Foraging in the Forest: How the Land Feeds Us
    Nov 7

    Foraging in the Forest: How the Land Feeds Us

    Learn about hunting and foraging, and enjoy dishes prepared with wild game.

    • All Ages
    • 4 – 6 pm
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SOUTHEAST REGION

New Albany • Madison • Corydon

Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, New Albany

Celebrate America's 250th birthday at Culbertson Mansion with historic tours and events that showcase Indiana’s role in the nation’s economic and cultural growth.

  • Our American Story: 50 Years of Restoration
    Jul 3

    Our American Story: 50 Years of Restoration

    Enjoy free admission as you explore our ongoing restoration of the site.

    • All Ages
    • 1 – 6 pm
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Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, Madison

Join Lanier Mansion to celebrate America's 250th with events at the mansion.

  • Music at the Mansion
    May 10

    Music at the Mansion

    In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, enjoy popular songs, concert marches and patriotic tunes. 

    • All Ages
    • 6 – 8 pm
  • Civil War Tour
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Jun 6

    Civil War Tour

    Uncover fascinating stories about Madison’s role in the American Civil War.

    • All Ages
    • 11:30 am - 1 pm
  • Civil War Day at Lanier Mansion
    Jun 6

    Civil War Day at Lanier Mansion

    Step back in time to a living history encampment.

    • All Ages
    • 10 am - 4 pm
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Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, Corydon

Honor America’s 250th with events that highlight Indiana’s first state capital and its place in U.S. state government and democratic history.

  • Two Constitutions in One Nation
    Jun 12

    Two Constitutions in One Nation

    The American Constitution and Indiana Constitution.

    • All Ages
    • 1 – 2 pm
  • Breaking from the Monarchy: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence
    Jul 4

    Breaking from the Monarchy: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence

    Join us!

    • All Ages
    • 11 am – 12 pm
  • Breaking from the Monarchy: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence
    Jul 8

    Breaking from the Monarchy: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence

    Join us!

    • All Ages
    • 6 – 7 pm
  • Benjamin Harrison V: Corydon’s Connection to a Patriot
    Aug 15

    Benjamin Harrison V: Corydon’s Connection to a Patriot

    Learn about the connection between Benjamin Harrison V, his father and Indiana’s first state capital in Corydon.

    • All Ages
    • 1 – 2 pm
  • Corydon’s Heroes: A Discussion of Revolutionary War Soldiers in the Frontier
    Sep 26

    Corydon’s Heroes: A Discussion of Revolutionary War Soldiers in the Frontier

    Brave soldiers and their legacy.

    • All Ages
    • 6 – 7:30 pm
  • Lanterns of Liberty Night Tour
    Nov 6

    Lanterns of Liberty Night Tour

    Join us for a lantern-lit tour around Downtown Corydon.

    • All Ages
    • 6:30 – 7:30 pm
  • George Rogers Clark: Frontier General
    Nov 21

    George Rogers Clark: Frontier General

    Discover the contributions Clark made to the Patriot forces on the Western frontier.

    • All Ages
    • 1 – 2 pm
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SOUTHWEST REGION

New Harmony • Vincennes

New Harmony State Historic Site, New Harmony

Take part in historic tours and programs that reflect the town’s utopian experiments and Indiana’s unique contributions to social reform in American history.

  • Framing the Past: The Art of Historical Thinking
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Jun 27

    Framing the Past: The Art of Historical Thinking

    Find out why understanding history is not just about what happened, but how and why it made sense to those who lived it.

    • Ages 13+
    • 1 – 2:30 pm CT
  • From Independence to Idealism: The Revolutionary Roots of New Harmony’s Utopias
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Jul 4

    From Independence to Idealism: The Revolutionary Roots of New Harmony’s Utopias

    Explore how the ideals of the American Revolution impacted ways of living.

    • All Ages
    • 1 – 2:30 pm CT
  • History Uncovered: From Artifact to Argument
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Aug 29

    History Uncovered: From Artifact to Argument

    What do historians and archaeologists consider vital sources of information?

    • Ages 13+
    • 1 – 2:30 pm CT
  • Whose History? Versions of the Past
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 17

    Whose History? Versions of the Past

    Gain a deeper understanding that history is not a single story, but a collection of many perspectives.

    • Ages 13+
    • 1 – 2:30 pm CT
  • Time Tells: How the Past is Constructed
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Dec 19

    Time Tells: How the Past is Constructed

    How does power, perspective and context shape our understanding of the past?

    • Ages 13+
    • 1 – 2:30 pm CT
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Vincennes State Historic Sites, Vincennes

Join us at Vincennes with events that honor Indiana’s oldest city and its central role in early American frontier history and governance.

  • Memorial Weekend Candlelight Tours
    May 23

    Memorial Weekend Candlelight Tours

    Explore the site by candlelight!

    • All Ages
    • 6:30 – 9:30 pm
  • Behind Closed Doors: The Complexities of Regency Love
    Registration Required
    Jun 6

    Behind Closed Doors: The Complexities of Regency Love

    What happened behind closed doors when social relationships were being developed?

    • Ages 14+
    • 2 – 3 pm
  • Sunday Funday at the Fort: Forging Life on the Western Frontier
    Jun 7

    Sunday Funday at the Fort: Forging Life on the Western Frontier

    Explore camp life as you learn how to start fires, set-up your camp perimeter and more.

    • All Ages
    • 1 – 4 pm
  • Second Saturday Speaker Series: The Revolution & Beyond
    Jul 11

    Second Saturday Speaker Series: The Revolution & Beyond

    Discover the impact of the American Revolution on both the new nation and the world.

    • All Ages
    • 2 – 3 pm
  • Printing and Technology: Early Republic Style
    Registration Required
    Aug 1

    Printing and Technology: Early Republic Style

    What’s the link between the telegraph, steam trains, the camera and the printing press?

    • All Ages
    • 2 – 4 pm
  • Cold Winter Nights: Pastimes of the Early Republic
    Registration Required
    Sep 5

    Cold Winter Nights: Pastimes of the Early Republic

    How did people of the Early Republic keep themselves entertained?

    • All Ages
    • 3 – 4 pm
  • Sunday Funday at the Fort: Archaeology, Digging up the Past
    Sep 6

    Sunday Funday at the Fort: Archaeology, Digging up the Past

    Archaeology is an important discipline. Come learn all about it!

    • All Ages
    • 1 – 4 pm
  • A Regency Evening
    Registration Required
    Sep 11

    A Regency Evening

    Spend a night in the world of Jane Austen!

    • All Ages
    • 6:30 – 8:30 pm
  • A Regency Afternoon Tea Experience
    Registration Required
    Sep 12

    A Regency Afternoon Tea Experience

    Tea time, social etiquette, proper dress and more.

    • All Ages
    • 4:30 – 6:30 pm
  • Downtown Ghost Story Walk
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 16

    Downtown Ghost Story Walk

    An evening of local ghost stories and other spooky tales.

    • All Ages
    • 6:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Downtown Ghost Story Walk
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 16

    Downtown Ghost Story Walk

    An evening of local ghost stories and other spooky tales!

    • All Ages
    • 8 – 9 pm
  • Downtown Ghost Story Walk
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 17

    Downtown Ghost Story Walk

    An evening of local ghost stories and other spooky tales!

    • All Ages
    • 8 – 9 pm
  • Downtown Ghost Story Walk
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 17

    Downtown Ghost Story Walk

    An evening of local ghost stories and other spooky tales!

    • All Ages
    • 6:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Downtown Ghost Story Walk
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 23

    Downtown Ghost Story Walk

    An evening of local ghost stories and other spooky tales!

    • All Ages
    • 6:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Downtown Ghost Story Walk
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 23

    Downtown Ghost Story Walk

    An evening of local ghost stories and other spooky tales!

    • All Ages
    • 8 – 9 pm
  • Almost Scary Stories Halloween Tours
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 24

    Almost Scary Stories Halloween Tours

    A Halloween tour for all ages!

    • All Ages
    • 4 – 5 pm
  • Almost Scary Stories Halloween Tours
    Separate Ticket Rewuired
    Oct 24

    Almost Scary Stories Halloween Tours

    A Halloween tour for all ages!

    • All Ages
    • 5:30 – 6:30 pm
  • American Creation Stories
    Registration Required
    Nov 7

    American Creation Stories

    Creation stories help humans understand their place in the universe.

    • All Ages
    • 2 – 4 pm
  • Second Saturday Speaker Series: Tecumseh-Panther Across the Sky
    Nov 14

    Second Saturday Speaker Series: Tecumseh-Panther Across the Sky

    Shaping the future of Vincennes.

    • All Ages
    • 2 – 3 pm
  • Christmas Candlelight Tour
    Dec 4

    Christmas Candlelight Tour

    Come explore Indiana’s territorial capital all decked out for the holidays!

    • All Ages
    • 6:30 – 9:30 pm
  • Christmas Tavern Dinner Experience
    Registration Required
    Dec 11

    Christmas Tavern Dinner Experience

    Experience tavern communality from bygone ages.

    • All Ages
    • 6 – 8:30 pm
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