Amy Chu, Program Officer
Lessons from Creative Experiences celebrating America250
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a National Endowment for the Arts’ America250 grant was distributed to Massachusetts organizations honoring the nation’s birthday. This federal funding was awarded to five Creative Experiences applicants for projects that gather, educate, and transport us to the country’s past:
- Cohasset Historical Society, Cohasset, MA
$5,000 for 250th American Music Series - Douglas Historical Society, Douglas, MA
$2,500 for Douglas Patriot Days - Old Colony Historical Society, Taunton, MA
$5,000 for Liberty & Union Celebration - Stockbridge Library Association, Stockbridge, MA
$5,000 for Revolution250: A Day in Revolutionary Stockbridge - The Bidwell House Museum, Monterey, MA
$5,000 for Life During the Revolution: An 18th Century Living History Weekend
We caught up with some of these grantees to ask what valuable lessons about civic responsibility and local community remain relevant to our present and future almost 250 years later. (Responses were lightly edited for clarity.)
Why is your organization excited to bring together the community through this America250 event?
The Bidwell House Museum: Visitors are completely immersed in the history of the 18th century. The Museum is in a thickly forested part of the Berkshires at the end of a dirt road and far enough away from town and neighbors to feel like attendees were traveling back in time as they approached the house. When visitors arrived, they could smell the cooking fires, see “Revolutionary War soldiers” in accurate uniforms and talk to the participants about all aspects of life in the 18th century.
Douglas Historical Society: The Douglas Historical Society is excited to bring our community together through Douglas Patriot Days because it will show how our small population (approximately 300) came together and contributed 74 soldiers to the independence effort! And it didn’t stop there—with those at home contributing what they could in food, blankets, and more to sustain them.
Old Colony Historical Society: The Liberty & Union Fall Festival is a long-running, well-loved tradition. Through hands-on activities, live demonstrations, music, and storytelling, we make history feel immediate and alive. By gathering on the museum grounds, we’re not just reflecting on the past—we’re continuing a shared tradition and creating new community memories rooted in the same spirit of connection and civic life that has defined Taunton for centuries.
What surprising, valuable, or cultural lessons can we take from our history almost 250 years later?
The Bidwell House Museum: At our event, people realized how much of history is supported by everyday people and not just the famous figures. We often learn about great speeches and victories in battle, but don’t always consider the thousands of farmers, women, and enslaved people whose efforts were crucial to keeping society clothed and fed during the Revolutionary War.
Douglas Historical Society: The speed of the transformation to the present day has been remarkable. For small towns like Douglas, the 250th gives us pause to think harder about ways we can protect our past so our story can continue to be told into the future.
Old Colony Historical Society: One of the most powerful lessons from 250 years ago is how deeply local communities shaped national change. Events that feel distant, like the American Revolution, look much more relatable when we look at them through a local history lens. Change was driven then by ordinary people making choices for their lives. Debate about identity, belonging, and responsibility were as much a story of 1776 as they are in 2026. America250 is a reminder that civic engagement, open dialogue, and community action still matter today, and we have the power to shape the nation we want to be a part of.