Lehigh Valley 250 receives $1 million to boost historical tourism
A $1 million state grant will fund exhibitions, performances, educational programming, public events, regional marketing and microgrants ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026.
As the region prepares to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday this July, the effort has received a major boost.
Lehigh Valley 250 has received $1 million in state support to advance a broad regional commemoration the founding of the United States.
This investment from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office 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.
“This investment helps ensure that the Lehigh Valley will play a visible, meaningful, and inspiring role in America’s 250th anniversary,” said Megan van Ravenswaay, executive director of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society. “It allows our region to celebrate its history, lift up untold stories, and create experiences that bring people together across communities.”
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.
Funding will support planning, coordination, promotion, and programming throughout the region, including original exhibitions, public celebrations, educational initiatives, performances, and collaborative community events. It will also strengthen regional marketing efforts designed to attract visitors and showcase the Lehigh Valley’s unique place in the American story.
Lehigh Valley 250 began in 2019 to prepare for the semiquinncentennial 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.