Unfinished Revolutions: Living Stories of American Rights
March 14 - November 8, 2026 | Spurlock Museum | 600 S. Gregory St. Urbana, IL 61801
Our exhibit theme of unfinished revolutions explores the ongoing struggle to define and expand the meaning of freedom in America. From the Revolutionary era to today, individuals and communities have challenged injustice and demanded change—through protest and litigation, war and grassroots organizing, formal politics and everyday resistance.
Setting the Table for 250 Years of American Politics
April 7 – Sept. 6, 2026 | Spurlock Museum | 600 S. Gregory St. Urbana, IL 61801
Setting the Table for 250 Years of American Politics explores the political memorabilia that has shaped this nation’s elections. Specifically, this exhibit engages with political memorabilia that targets the domestic space of the dinner table including implements of eating and drinking.
We The (Trivia) People
June 16, 2026 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Spurlock Museum | 600 S. Gregory St. Urbana, IL 61801
Gather your crew, challenge yourself with trivia, and see how you stack up against the competition. This free event draws inspiration from our exhibit Unfinished Revolutions: Living Stories of American Rights. Rounds will feature questions that connect to our exhibit themes and may include other fun facts from the last 250 years of American history. No reservations are required. Teams may be up to six people.
Forging Liberty Exhibition
June 18–21, 2026 | Champaign Public Library | 200 W. Green St., Champaign
CELEBRATE America's 250th anniversary with a special visit to the library to view a rare exhibition featuring 21 authentic founding-era documents and artifacts that trace America's path from protest to independence, revolution, and nationhood. Admission to the exhibition is free, but advance registration is highly encouraged. Presented by the Champaign County History Museum at the Historic Cattle Bank and part of Champaign County's America 250 commemoration.
Champaign County’s Freedom Celebration: America Celebrates 250 Years
July 4, 2026 | University of Illinois campus
5k race at 9:05 a.m., parade at 11:05 a.m. at First and Kirby, evening festivities on First and Kirby starting at 6 p.m., evening fireworks 9:15 p.m. lot E-14.
Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
July 8, 2026, 4:30–5:30 p.m. | Douglas County Courthouse | 401 S. Center Street, Tuscola
Public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Event will begin at 4:30pm with the Declaration being read at 5:00pm. Light refreshments served. Bring lawn chairs. If rain, event will be moved to the Tuscola Community Building at 122 N Central Ave., Tuscola, IL 61953
Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
July 8, 2026, 5:00 p.m. | Arcola Community Center | 107 W. Main St., Arcola
Champaign County History Museum’s America 250
The Network invites your participation in Our American Stories: A Community Exhibition.
Follow this link https://www.champaigncountymuseums.org/ouramericanstories for more information and submission instructions.
America 250 Events across Illinois
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