Today is a day 250 years in the making.
For organizations like Preservation Maryland, it seems almost surreal. We’ve been planning, discussing, organizing, acting, and implementing for well over five years to get here. We’ve planted liberty trees across our state, begun restoring iconic landmarks, provided grants, explored important impacts of the revolution and launched an at-home architecture experience.
After all that time, we’ve arrived on July 4, 2026. Where do we go from here?
“We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
It’s a turn of phrase that turned the world upside down. For twelve scores and 10 years, the American people have debated its meaning, celebrated its impacts, challenged its shortcomings, and demanded its expansion.
For a republic birthed in the “Age of Reason,” not surprisingly, history has played a momentous role in shaping the nation. We look back to history for answers, warnings, lessons, and encouragement.
That’s why we’re suggesting to our friends and followers, that for this anniversary – and those that follow – think nationally, but act locally when it comes to your history.
Some of the best outcomes of the bicentennial in 1976 were the tremendous investments in local history. As a nation, we saved, preserved, interpreted and told a thousand different stories across the nation. Historical societies, preservation groups, and countless museums were launched during that moment. Did we overlook some stories? Yes, but now we have an opportunity to carry forward an even richer tapestry of history to the tricentennial.
- Thinking nationally and acting locally means reading the Declaration of Independence’s words and exploring how they shaped your own community’s story.
- It means appreciating our national landmarks – and finding ways to help preserve the local landmarks that dot our nation’s landscape in equally impressive ways.
- It means accepting the awesome challenge of citizenship and reaching out to neighbors to show that kindness and amity is rooted not in Washington, but in the hearts and minds of the people.
Jonas Salk, an American icon of science, once observed that, “Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors.” This Semiquincentennial, we have that opportunity and responsibility with our heritage. Let us be the good ancestors the future deserves.
You can begin today by supporting our 250th Fund right here at Preservation Maryland