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.
Be sure to check out the Recommended Booklists and Events within Beanstack too!
America 250 Reading Recommendations
Upcoming Events
Beyond Little House on the Prairie: Rose Wilder Lane and the Great Depression
Sat • Jul 18 • 11 a.m. • White River Branch
Join Bridget Nash from the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, as we explore the lives of both Laura and Rose during the Great Depression through Rose Wilder Lane's diaries. Registration required. For All Ages.
Countdown to Artemis II: A History of US Space Exploration
Mon • Jul 20 • 4 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
July 20th is the anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon. Join us for a discussion of the history of US space exploration and the journey to the Artemis II mission. Registration required. For All Ages.
Silver Pathways Documentary: Statue of Liberty
Wed • Jul 22 • 2 p.m. • White River Branch
Come watch a classic Ken Burns documentary about one of the USA's most enduring symbols. Light refreshments provided. For Seniors.
Voices of a Nation: America 250 Concert Series -- Birch Creek Bluegrass on the Lawn
Sat • Jul 25 • 6 p.m. • Trafalgar Community Amphitheater, 335 Pleasant St.
Bring your lawn chairs to the Trafalgar Community Amphitheater and celebrate America's 250th Anniversary with an evening of bluegrass music with Birch Creek Bluegrass! For All Ages.
America 250 in Film - "Smoke Signals"
Tue • July 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 Adults and Teens.
Smoke Signals (1998 PG-13) is the first movie to be written, directed, and co-produced by Native Americans. Directed by Chris Eyre and stars Adam Beach, the film follows two young men from a reservation, Victor and Thomas, on a journey to Phoenix to retrieve Victor's estranged father's ashes. Smoke Signals explores themes of friendship, family, identity, and alcoholism, often blending humor with heartfelt moments.
Johnson County Celebrating America’s 250th
Thu • Jul 30 • 6 p.m. • Trafalgar Branch
David Pfeiffer, Director of the Johnson County Museum of History, will discuss America’s 250th anniversary. For Adults and Teens.
Voices from the Past Storyteller Series: Colonial Printing
Sat • Aug 8 • 1:30 p.m. • Johnson County Museum of History
Printing during the American Revolution was very important as a way to spread ideas. Rich Gotshall will portray a colonial printer and talk about how they did their job during that time. The event is free, open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Johnson County Museum of History. The event will take place at the museum: 135 N. Main St., Franklin, IN 46131. For All Ages.
American Girl Tea Party
Mon • Aug 10 • 4 p.m. • Trafalgar Branch
Bring your favorite doll to a tea party celebrating America's 250th. Enjoy tea and snacks plus games and crafts inspired by Felicity, Josefina, Addy and more. Registration required. For Elementary-Age.
American History through Quilting
Thu • Aug 20 • 6 p.m. • Trafalgar Branch
Learn how quilting tells the stories of America's history from the first colonists to today's industry. For Adults.
Voices of a Nation: America 250 Concert Series - The Franklin Community Band on the Lawn
Thu • Sep 3 • 7 p.m. • Trafalgar Community Amphitheater, 335 Pleasant St.
The Franklin Community Band will present a concert of patriotic and American favorites. Bring a chair or blanket! Concert will be held at the Trafalgar Community Amphitheater, located at 335 Pleasant St, Trafalgar, IN 46181. In case of inclement weather, the performance will move indoors to Trafalgar Library. For All Ages.
The Longest Table
Fri • Sep. 4
The Longest Table is a shared community meal that brings neighbors together to connect us through conversation. Join us at the Franklin Amphitheater! For Adults. Please register.
Right to Write: The Art of Letter Writing
Thy • Sep 17 • 11 a.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
Drop-in and write a letter, share a letter or create a postcard collage for Constitution Day. For Adults.
Homeschool Hangout
Thu • Sep 24 • 2 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch
Get to know other students while you learn about the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights with our homeschool friends. Happy 250th Birthday, America! Registration required. For Elementary-Age.
Voices of a Nation: America 250 Concert Series - Franklin Matinee Musicale on the Lawn
Sat • Oct 3 • 2 p.m. • Trafalgar Community Amphitheater, 335 Pleasant St.
Bring your lawn chairs to the Trafalgar Community Amphitheater and celebrate America's 250th Anniversary with Franklin Matinee Musicale's “Happy Birthday, America!” celebration of patriotic music! For All Ages.
Voices of a Nation: America 250 Concert Series - The Freetown Village Singers on the Lawn
Sat • Oct 10 • 2 p.m. • Trafalgar Community Amphitheater, 335 Pleasant St.
Experience history in harmony with the Freetown Village Singers! Bring your lawn chairs to the Trafalgar Community Amphitheater and celebrate America's 250th Anniversary with the Freetown Village Singers! For All Ages.
Voices from the Past Storyteller Series: Revolutionary War Soldiers in Johnson County
Sat • Oct 17 • 1:30 p.m. • Johnson County Museum of History
There are a surprising number of Revolutionary War veterans buried in Johnson County. Bev Hollandbeck will explore some of their stories and where they are buried. For All Ages.
Military Day
Sat • Nov. 7
More details to come!
Thank you to Festival Country Indiana for supporting our “Voices of a Nation: America 250 Concert Series” at the upcoming Trafalgar Community Amphitheater.
