Issue 15, February 2026

Videos Now Available

We are pleased to announce that our America250 WA promotional videos are now available online.

Each video runs about five minutes and is focused on one of our three themes -- We The People, The Power of Place and Sharing History.

The videos include interviews of people from around the state and are ideal for public spaces such as libraries, museums, city halls, community centers, etc. Service clubs and other groups can also use the videos as part of their regular meetings, and we hope the videos can be used at every county fair and community event in the state.

A huge thank you to TVW for producing the videos on our behalf, and to everyone who was interviewed for them.

Short clips suitable for social media will be available soon.

We The People Video

The Power of Place Video

Sharing History Video

America's 250th 
Proclamation Template

We now have a proclamation template that can be used by our partners for America's 250th. We hope every city and town in the state will issue a proclamation some time in 2026.

George Washington "Speaks" and Offers Resources for Partners

Vern Frykholm of Sequim, better known as George Washington, has been portraying our first president since 2011.

The goal of his nonprofit organization, George Washington Speaks, is to present early America from Washington's viewpoint with as much historical accuracy as possible. His presentations are not only educational, but entertaining and inspiring. Since 2011, he has made more than 500 appearances and spoken to more than 26,000 people. He will be traveling around Washington this year participating in many America's 250th events.

As one of our partners, Vern is providing a few special resources this year:

1. Weekly Audio Recordings: Each week, Vern does a special recording of events that happened on the same week during the American Revolution. These recordings are available for partners and media outlets to use for free.
2. Free Audio Messages: Want a message from George Washington for your group or event? Vern will provide free audio messages from "George Washington" for any partner in the state to use on social media.
3. Podcasts: Vern produces a regular podcast with conversations with actors, historians and re-enactors that is focused on the American Revolution and Colonial period.
4. Appearances: Want George Washington to appear at your event? Vern is appearing at many events around the state this year and might be available for yours.

For more information, contact Vern at info@georgewashingtonspeaks.com or visit his website below.

What Would You Choose To Represent Washington in a National Time Capsule?

On July 4, 2026, the national America250 committee will bury the Semiquincentennial Time Capsule within Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The stainless steel cylinder, designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is designed to safely store commemorative objects for 250 years until the capsule’s opening on July 4, 2276.

Each state has been asked to contribute a submission that represents its people, stories, and values at this historic moment, and Washington State's 250 Committee now invites the public to share ideas for our state’s contribution.

Submissions must fit within a 6" x 5" x 2" archival storage box or consist of a single page of archival paper no larger than 8.5" x 11". Items should reflect our state and its people today and may include creative works, written reflections, or symbolic objects created with long-term preservation in mind.

Washingtonians are encouraged to submit their recommendations to info@america250wa.org by March 1. Public input will help inform the committee’s final selection.

COMING UP

PARTNER NEWS

Ideas from our Partners

Need some inspiration about what you can do in your community for America's 250th? Check out some of our partner ideas.

Parks and Recreation Guide in Moses Lake

Each quarter, the Parks and Recreation Guide for Moses Lake will have a section highlighting local America's 250th events and activities as well as a historic photo from the museum's collection on the cover (spring will be 1960s, summer will be 1970s and fall/winter will be in 1980s).

Family Feud at the County Fair in Raymond

The Pacific County Fair in Raymond will include an America250 Family Feud event for local families to participate. Questions will not only be about the American Revolution but local county history.

Community Art Competition in Point Roberts

The Point Roberts Historical Society (Whatcom County) is hosting a friendly art competition through June 27 for community members to create a work of art featuring the museum's item for the Out of Many, One initiative—an obelisk that marks monument #1 on the 49th parallel. All forms of artistic expression are welcome—including ice sculptures and sandcastles. The winner and runner-up will receive a prize.

Parachutists in Colville

The Northeast Washington Fair in Colville (Stevens County) is planning a variety of America250-themed activities for the Fourth of July including having two people parachute with an American flag at the start of the parade. The city of Colville is working to ensure that the event is free for everyone and inviting local towns to participate as well.

Still Life Exhibits at Fair in Enumclaw

The King County Fair in Enumclaw (King County) will use America250 themes throughout the fair this year, including for some of its "still life" exhibitions such as quilting, photography, and flower-arranging.

Upcoming Partner Events

Don't forget to post your events on our statewide calendar.

Feb 21: A Celebration of Americana Concert

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will perform a special concert from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Skyview Concert Hall in Vancouver (Clark County). Tickets required.

Feb 21: Our Fifty States

The Highline Heritage Museum in Burien (King County) is hosting a free, hands-on event for children and families from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. focusing on the 50 states and U.S. flag.

Feb 22: A Celebration of Americana Concert

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will perform a special concert from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Skyview Concert Hall in Vancouver (Clark County). Tickets required.

Feb 25: Writing Your Family Story

The Sno-Isle Genealogical Society is hosting a FREE six-week writing course with four in-person sessions focused on helping participants write one meaningful or genealogy-based story from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 25 at the Humble House in Heritage Park in Lynnwood (Snohomish County). Registration required.

March 1: Flag Making Kit

The Mason County America250 Committee in partnership with Sierra Pacific is offering free wood kits to create Colonial flags that will be displayed at the Forest Festival later this year. Contact Will at WHarris.Allyn@gmail.com for more information or to get a kit.

March 21: Washington State Patriotic Day

The Military Order of World Wars is hosting a Washington State Patriotic Day event at Pioneer Middle School in DuPont (Pierce County) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to honor servicemembers, veterans, first responders and their families. Free and open to the public.

March 28: Cherry Blossom Tea Fundraiser

The DuPont Historical Society is hosting its annual fundraiser the 2026 Cherry Blossom Tea with a special theme to honor America's 250th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Home Course in DuPont (Pierce County). Tickets required.

AROUND WASHINGTON

Seymour History, our unofficial America's 250th ambassador, 
welcomes the following cities to the America250 WA Team!

Milton 
(Pierce County)

Springdale
 (Stevens County)

Prosser
(Benton County)

Wilson Creek
(Grant County)

Connell 
(Franklin County)

DuPont 
(Pierce County)

Electric City
(Grant County)

Grandview 
(Yalkima County)

Liberty Lake 
(Spokane County)

Granger
(Yakima County)

Monroe
(Snohomish County)

Maple Valley
(King County)

REMINDERS

KEY 2026 DATES

Day of Service: Sunday, June 14, 2026

Communities will organize local service projects such as helping digitize historical photographs at your history museum or participating in community cleanup events.

Independence Day: Saturday, July 4, 2026

Incorporate our official themes of America's 250th anniversary—We the People, Power of Place, and Sharing History—into your existing July 4th activities.

Washington Museum Day: Saturday, August 8, 2026

In collaboration with the Washington Museum Association, museums across the state will offer free or discounted admission and promote the “Out of Many, One” project.

Day of Civic Engagement: Thursday September 17, 2026

Communities are invited to plan activities to inspire civic participation such as hosting voter registration, meet-and-greets with civic leaders, or a civics-themed trivia night.

STATE COMMITTEE

State Committee Meetings

Please share this newsletter with any organization that might be interested in becoming an America's 250th WA partner.