As the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026, North Carolina is taking steps to ensure the milestone is commemorated with purpose, education, and pride. The state’s Semiquincentennial Committee recently met in Raleigh to discuss initiatives, partnerships, and programs in the works—and momentum is building across government agencies, nonprofits, and local communities.
Civic Engagement and Youth Participation
Amber McClure, state director for Youth and Government and director of teen civic engagement at the YMCA of the Triangle, opened the recent legislative meeting with a call to elevate civic awareness among young North Carolinians.
“I think we are all here working to find a way to celebrate in America in North Carolina,” said McClure. “I’d like to find a united way to honor America while seeking a more collaborative, civically engaged future for North Carolina.”
She proposed youth-focused initiatives such as community celebrations, writing contests, civic bees, and virtual field trips, along with educator support and strategic partnerships among schools, governments, and nonprofits.
“I think partnering together would be great,” McClure added. “We invite everyone to join us in sparking a renewed commitment to civic health across the great state of North Carolina.”
Budget Constraints but Continued Progress
Committee chair Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke, reminded attendees that the General Assembly has not yet passed a state budget, leaving the committee without operational funding for now. Still, planning continues with support from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) and civic organizations.
Anne Evangelista, legislative affairs director for DNCR, briefed members on the popular highway historical marker program. Several new markers will be unveiled across the state this fall and next spring, with committee members requesting updates on their county locations and event schedules.
DNCR is also coordinating traveling exhibits, educational programs, and community events throughout the state. The agency’s new America 250 NC website serves as a central hub for resources and upcoming events.
Merchandise, Media, and a New Web Presence
Grace Obsitnik, special events assistant at the North Carolina General Assembly, shared that NC 250-branded merchandise—pens, shirts, bookmarks, lapel pins, and more—will be ordered in bulk for public distribution, with estimated costs between $7,000 and $8,000. A new website has also launched to serve as the committee’s official digital home.
Meanwhile, Dr. Troy Kickler, executive director of the NC250 Committee, shared updates on a proposed video series featuring one-minute interviews with General Assembly members. He also confirmed that he will attend the America 250 State and Territory Convening in Washington, D.C., from July 28–30, where leaders will coordinate national and regional efforts.
“I’m not going to say we should compare ourselves to South Carolina,” said committee member Kyle Luebke. “But it would be helpful, I think, for the committee to focus on connecting with Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee, especially because they’re the states around us.”
Foundation Forward Seeks Official Endorsement
Jeffrey Morse, of the private non-profit, Foundation Forward, requested a resolution of endorsement for the organization’s initiative to install large-scale replicas of the US founding documents—bringing history to life in towns and counties across the country.
“We feel personally tied to this committee, and we think that to have your seal of approval would help emphasize our legitimacy as being part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary, and so we humbly ask this committee to endorse us,” said Morse.
Sen. Ted Alexander, R-Cleveland, praised the initiative:
“I was so impressed at the celebration I attended,” he said. “These displays are to scale of the original documents, and they’re actual kind of bronze replicas, and they’re encased in these structures(…), and it was truly a very uplifting and patriotic display.”
Rep. Blackwell asked for a draft resolution of endorsement to be prepared for consideration at a future meeting.
Expanding the Story: The John Locke Foundation Documentary
The John Locke Foundation is also playing a key role in commemorating the 250th anniversary through research, media, and storytelling. Locke is building on the success of its first film, A Letter to the King which delves into the Edenton Tea Party, when 51 North Carolina women joined together and put their lives on the line to protest the British tax on tea. Production is underway of a second documentary focused on the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge—a pivotal Revolutionary War conflict on February 27, 1776 that marked one of the first major victories for patriot forces in the South.
This project coincides with a historic preservation milestone: nearly 2,000 acres of land adjacent to Moore’s Creek National Battlefield have recently been added to North Carolina’s Natural Heritage Areas. The expansion will help safeguard and interpret this critical Revolutionary War site, enabling new educational programming and reenactments leading up to the 2026 celebration.
Collaborations and National Media
A televised patriotic concert in partnership with UNC-TV and the North Carolina Symphony, is also in the works, with potential hosting by the Town of Cary. UNC-TV has proposed two production formats for a 90-minute concert special, though summer scheduling has delayed coordination.
In addition, the American Battlefield Trust is exploring placement of a Revolutionary War-themed kiosk in the state legislative building and expansion of the Liberty Trail into North Carolina. Local chapters of the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution have expressed strong interest in supporting these initiatives.
Some committee members and staff also previewed Ken Burns’ upcoming The American Revolution documentary, which premieres on PBS North Carolina on November 16, 2025. The high-profile documentary is expected to official kick off a public focus on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
A Call to Local Action
Committee members were encouraged to support the 250th anniversary locally by attending community events, writing op-eds, sharing writing contests, and connecting with local Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution chapters.
With mounting enthusiasm at the grassroots level and a growing coalition of civic, educational, and cultural partners, North Carolina’s celebration of America 250 promises to be as dynamic as its history.