Lehigh Valley 250 recently announced $1 million in state support to advance a broad regional commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

This investment was directed to the region from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office with bipartisan, bicameral support and will help support exhibitions, performances, educational programming, public events, and tourism promotion across the Lehigh Valley as communities prepare to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026.

Lehigh Valley 250 is a regional initiative bringing together arts, cultural, educational, and historical partners to tell the stories of this region’s role in the founding of the nation and to create meaningful opportunities for residents and visitors to engage in this historic milestone.

The collaboration is led by four leading institutions in the region: Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites, Lafayette College, and Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.

Lehigh Valley 250 began in 2019 to prepare for the semiquincentennial and have been guided by four key priorities: uncovering and sharing untold local stories, engaging diverse communities in reflection, building lasting partnerships, and expanding cultural tourism.

The initiative will feature programming that connects Revolutionary history, industrial innovation, civic identity, and the stories of the diverse communities that have shaped the Lehigh Valley across generations.

In addition, a microgrant program has been opened to help support regional events with 2026 programs.

Additional information about the grant program can be found at https://delawareandlehigh.org/lehigh-valley-250-project-funding-requests/.

Lehigh Valley 250 will continue to share updates, events, and partnership opportunities in the months ahead.

For more information, visit www.lehighvalley250.org.