Northwest Ohio is marking America’s 250th anniversary with concerts, lectures, exhibits, reenactments and community events celebrating the people, history and moments that helped shape the nation. Here’s a look at upcoming America250 events happening across the region.
Ongoing
“Past into the Future” in celebration of America250.
This exhibit explores objects and stories from Wood County community members, highlighting the everyday people who helped shape America’s 250 years of growth and transformation.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
MAY
SUN, May 17
America @ 250
As part of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, this special performance showcases the rich history of American chamber music. Ticketed.
Toledo Center for Live Arts, 4747 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo
TUE, May 19
America250 Lecture Series – Lost Eateries of Toledo
Join Toledo author and storyteller Tedd Long for a journey back to the restaurants that once defined the city’s neighborhoods. Registration is required.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
SAT, May 23
Honoring Service, Preserving History
As part of the America 250 Ohio initiative, the Maumee Valley Historical Society invites the community to honor local veterans through a hands-on gravestone preservation and restoration project. Registration is required.
Riverside Cemetery, 1595 W. River Rd., Maumee
Grand Rapids Historical Society 250th Lecture Series
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society for a lecture in its America 250 series as Dr. Steven Bare explores the history of the Civil War and Memorial Day.
Historic Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St., Grand Rapids
SAT, May 30 and SUN, May 31
Happy Birthday, America! Country Garden Club Flower Show
Celebrate America’s beauty and history at the Country Garden Club flower show featuring floral art, horticulture exhibits, and creative patriotic displays.
Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg
SUN, May 31
Sylvania Community Orchestra America 250 Concert
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday during a free concert featuring classic works by Sousa, Copland, Bernstein, and tributes to Gershwin and Louis Armstrong.
Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania
JUNE
WED, June 3
The Great Depression Lecture Series – “New Deal Ecology: The Dust Bowl and the Navajo Livestock Reduction Program”
Explore the impact of the Dust Bowl and New Deal environmental efforts during this installment of the Great Depression Lecture Series, presented by the Wood County Park District in partnership with the Wood County Museum as part of America 250 programming.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
SAT, June 6
Appalachian Spring & Adagio for Strings
Experience a powerful portrait of American music with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra as part of the Rita Barbour Kern Masterworks Series and America 250 celebration. Ticketed.
Toledo Museum of Art | The Peristyle, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo
TUE, June 9
America250 Lecture Series – WWII Aviation Accidents in the Local Area
Join local historian Rob Tong for a program about local WWII aviation crashes.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
SAT, June 13
Grand Rapids Historical Society 250th Lecture Series
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society for a lecture in its America 250 series as Dr. Steven Bare explores the history of World War 1.
Historic Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St., Grand Rapids
THUR, June 18
Ohio Goes to the Movies: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
As part of Ohio Goes to the Movies, enjoy a special screening of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, celebrating Ohio’s connection to the film industry and movies filmed in the state.
Mayberry Ice Cream, 5645 Mayberry Square E., Sylvania
SAT, June 20
Fallen Timbers: Celebrating 250 years of American History
Join the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary at Fallen Timbers Battlefield and explore the history, Native heritage, and natural legacy of one of the nation’s most influential battle sites.
Fallen Timbers Battlefield, 4949 N Jerome Rd., Maumee
Grand Rapids Historical Society 250th Lecture Series
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society for a lecture in its America 250 series as Dr. Joshua Steedman explores the Underground Railroad in NW Ohio.
Historic Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St., Grand Rapids
MON, June 22
Taste Test the Past: Dried Herbs
Join the Wood County Museum for “Taste Test the Past,” an America 250 cooking series exploring herbs, including how to grow, preserve, and blend them into spices and teas, with samples to take home. Ticketed.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
SAT, June 27
Grand Rapids Historical Society 250th Lecture Series
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society for a lecture in its America 250 series as Dr. Steven Bare explores Cold War Culture.
Historic Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St., Grand Rapids
SUN, June 28
The King’s Brass Patriotic Celebration
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass in a patriotic concert featuring beloved favorites honoring the nation ahead of the 4th of July.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, 4207 W. Laskey Rd., Toledo
JULY
WED, July 1 – TUE, July 14
Time Travelers Passport
Explore Northwest Ohio’s history during the Time Travelers Passport, a region-wide America 250 celebration where visitors collect stamps at 12 historic sites for a commemorative coin.
Various Locations
WED, July 1
The Great Depression Lecture Series – “The New Deal Challenged: National Political Dissent in a Changing Nation”
Explore the challenges to the New Deal during the Great Depression in this seventh installment of the lecture series, presented by the Wood County Park District in partnership with the Wood County Museum as part of America 250 programming.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
THUR, July 2
Whitehouse Founder’s Day Fireworks and America’s 250th Celebration
Celebrate Whitehouse Founder’s Day with fireworks and patriotic festivities as the village joins the nationwide America 250 celebration honoring the country’s history and future.
Whitehouse, Ohio
FRI, July 3
July 3rd Family Picnic and Fireworks
As part of the July America 250 theme Ohio Gathers, the Maumee 250 Committee will partner with the Maumee Uptown Business Association for their annual July 3rd Family Picnic.
Uptown Maumee, Conant St.. Maumee
Party in the Park: 250th Backyard BBQ Pig Roast
Celebrate at the 250th Backyard BBQ Pig Roast with delicious food and live music from Ice Cream Militia and Daydrinkers.
Promenade Park, 400 Water St., Toledo
SAT, July 4
Independence Day Concert and America 250 Events and Picnic
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a patriotic day of picnics, historic games, family activities, live music, and an Independence Day concert featuring the Toledo Concert Band.
Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont
America’s 250th Concert & Fireworks Spectacular
Celebrate with America’s 250th Concert & Fireworks Spectacular featuring live music from Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder and Distant Cousinz followed by a fireworks display.
Promenade Park, 400 Water St., Toledo
TUE, July 7
America250 Lecture Series: Nazareth Hall: A History Based on the Ursuline Order of the Sacred Heart’s
Join local historian Tom Sorosiak for a program exploring the history of Nazareth Hall during its years under the Ursuline Order of the Sacred Heart. Ticketed.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
SAT, July 11
Promoting the Publick Good
Step back in time for a living history celebration of American Independence featuring historic trades, open-hearth cooking, Revolutionary War reenactments, and hands-on experiences showcasing early 19th-century life.
River Raisin Territorial Park, 3815 N. Custer Rd., Monroe, MI
SAT, Aug 1
Grand Rapids Historical Society 250th Lecture Series
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society for a lecture in its America 250 series as Dr. Adam Thomas explores the Declaration of Independence.
Historic Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St., Grand Rapids
SAT, Aug. 1 and SUN, Aug. 2
Declaration 250
Celebrate Declaration 250 at Put-in-Bay with fireworks, reenactments, patriotic festivities, and a special appearance by the Ohio State Marching Band during this two-day celebration of America’s founding.
Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, 93 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay
WED, Aug. 5
The Great Depression Lecture Series – “Land of Our Own? Sharecroppers and Tenant Farmers in the Great Depression”
Explore how the New Deal impacted non-landowning farmers during the Great Depression in this installment of the lecture series presented by the Wood County Park District in partnership with the Wood County Museum as part of America 250 programming.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
SAT, Aug. 8
Grand Rapids Historical Society 250th Lecture Series
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society for a lecture in its America 250 series as Rob Creps explores World War II.
Historic Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St., Grand Rapids
TUE, Aug. 11
America250 Lecture Series – Sports in the Shadow of World War II
Discover how World War II reshaped sports through canceled events, military service, women’s athletics, and wartime adaptations that boosted morale on the home front. Ticketed.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
SAT, Aug. 15
Grand Rapids Historical Society 250th Lecture Series
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society for a lecture in its America 250 series as Dr. Joshua Steedman explores Moral Reform & Prohibition.
Historic Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St., Grand Rapids
SAT, Aug. 22
Grand Rapids Historical Society 250th Lecture Series
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society for a lecture in its America 250 series as Peter Wilhelm discusses Dresden Howard.
Historic Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St., Grand Rapids
