America 250

JCPL is celebrating America's 250th birthday throughout the year with special programming. Enjoy a historical presentation and storytellers, make a craft, watch a film and more to learn about our history!

Feb 4, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Celebrate America's 250th birthday, one minute at a time! Join our Read, Write & Blue Bingo Beanstack Challenge and honor 250 years of stories, innovation, and history. Log your reading and activities, earn fun badges, and help us celebrate the nation's past, present, and future.

America 250 Reading Recommendations

Upcoming Events

The Steamboat's A Comin'! - A Living History Presentation by Kevin Stonerock
Sat • Jan 10 • 11 a.m. • White River Branch
Join us for a grand adventure of story, song and first person living history about life on the Ohio River from the frontier era through the glorious age of steam. Registration required. For All Ages.

Remember When Trivia: American Pioneers
Thu • Jan 22 • 3 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
Participate in an America 250 trivia challenge. Test your knowledge of early North American pioneers. Participate with a library laptop or your own device. Registration required. For Adults.

Homeschool Teen STEAM - Mt. Rushmore Building Challenge
Mon • Feb 16 • 2 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
Recreate Mt. Rushmore using clay. Learn how Mt. Rushmore was engineered and create a small-scale model of it using clay. Registration required. For Grades 6-12.

Teen STEAM - Mt. Rushmore Building Challenge
Mon • Feb 16 • 4 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
Recreate Mt. Rushmore using clay. Learn how Mt. Rushmore was engineered and create a small-scale model of it using clay. Registration required. For Grades 6-12.

Kids STEAM, Jr. - Mt. Rushmore Building Challenge
Tue • Feb 17 • 6 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
Recreate Mt. Rushmore using clay. Learn how Mt. Rushmore was engineered and create a small-scale model of it using clay. Registration required. For Grades K-2. 

Kids STEAM, Jr. - Mt. Rushmore Building Challenge
Thu • Feb 19 • 4:30 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
Recreate Mt. Rushmore using clay. Learn how Mt. Rushmore was engineered and create a small-scale model of it using clay. Registration required. For Grades 3-5.

From Hoosier to White House
Thu • Feb 19 • 6 p.m. • Franklin Branch 
Learn about President Benjamin Harrison from Clay Peace volunteer docent at the Benjamin Harrison House. For Adults and Teens.

Homeschool Hangout - Presidential Pets
Thu • Feb 26 • 2 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
Have you ever wondered which President had the strangest pet? Or which President had the most pets in the White House? Learn more about the American President and their pets. Registration required. For School-Age.

Voices from the Past Storyteller Series: George Rogers Clark
Sat • Feb 28 • 1:30 p.m. • Johnson County Museum of History
It's not widely known that several locations in present-day Indiana played a role in the American Revolution. Learn about George Rogers Clark and others who played a role in the war. The event will take place at the museum: 135 N. Main St., Franklin, IN 46131. For All Ages.

American Flag Glass Jars
Sat • Mar 7 • 1 p.m. • Franklin Branch
Paint two patriotic glass jars perfect for your next party or as simple home decor. Registration required. For Adults and Teens.

Women Telegraph Operators in the Civil War
Sat • Mar 21 • 11 a.m. • White River Branch
While most men were called away to fight in the Civil War, women played an important role as telegraph operators. Learn about their service to relay these crucial messages. Registration required. For All Ages

Let's Talk Baseball!
Tue • Mar 24 • 2 p.m. • White River Branch
Who was your baseball hero as a kid? What was your favorite team? Join us to reminisce about baseball in the 1940's, 50's and 60's, back when we were young and baseball was fun. Registration required. For Seniors.

Crafting Yesteryear - Colonial Cross-Stitch
Tue •  Mar 31 • 6 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
Celebrate America's founding by creating a colonial cross-stitch and listening to early American music! Every quarter we will make a fun handmade craft from years past. Registration required. For Adults.

Uniforms & Equipment of the American Revolution
Mon • Apr 13 • 6 p.m. • Franklin Branch
Bill Hendricks, History in a Trunk, discusses the uniforms worn by the American and British and will explain the weapons and accoutrements carried by each. Tactics covered. Registration required. For Adults and Teens.

DIY Patriotic Rag Wreath
Wed • Apr 15 • 6 p.m. • Franklin Branch
Use red, white, and blue rags to make a wreath perfect for America's 250th anniversary! Registration required. For Adults.

Homeschool Hangout - Children and the American Revolution
Thu • Apr 23 • 2 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
As we approach the 250th anniversary of American Independence, we will talk a look at what life was like for children during this time. Make a related craft from what we learn. Registration required. For School-Age.

America 250 in Film - "Little Women"
Tue • Apr 28 • 6 p.m.
Join us for a special film series at The Historic Artcraft Theatre! We'll celebrate America's 250th by showing beloved films. Admission is free. For All Ages. 

Voices from the Past Storyteller Series: Benjamin Franklin
Thu • Apr. 30 • 6 p.m. • Franklin College
Join Benjamin Franklin, portrayed by David Mosedale, at Franklin College to learn about his life and inventions to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. For All Ages. 

The Longest Table
Fri • Sep. 4
More details to come! 

Military Day
Sat • Nov. 7
More details to come!