Dec. 9—Daviess County is getting ready to be a part of America’s next great birthday party. In 2026, the United States will turn 250 years old, and America 250 Daviess County Coordinator Terri Kelso says it is going to be a big celebration.
“This is a big deal. It is coming and I am very excited about this,” said Kelso. “It is America’s 250 birthday. The museum reached out and asked if I would coordinate things. We have been having meetings trying to connect with everyone we can in Daviess County. We are talking with organizations and individuals.”
The big celebration may be a ways away but already ideas are being thrown around and plans are being laid for what will happen locally.
“A lot of people are already involved. A lot of people are already making plans,” said Kelso. “For instance, Beth Gabhart is planning a 5K run around the historical markers like she did for the bicentennial. We are going to do a lot. We are going to kick it off on June 14 (Flag Day), 2025. Hopefully, everyone will get to celebrate sometime between then and July 4, 2026. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The birthday committee that Kelso heads includes Daviess County Clerk Lauren Milton as treasurer and Amber Warden with Discover Downtown Washington as secretary.
“This is an exciting time to be thinking about American history, Indiana history and our local history. Anything that has an historical interest,” said Kelso who notes a lot of events will include school children. “Nationally, they are planning what they are calling America’s field trips. It is for grades three through 12. They are planning three big giveaways for this.”
Schools can sign up at https://america250.org\fieldtrip
Kelso says the Daviess County Museum is also building some big plans.
“Locally, the museum wants to do something as well and they are working on some things for the students,” she said. “It takes time to plan a proper celebration. We don’t have it all nailed down yet, but we do have a lot of great ideas.”
Some of the local projects are expected to tie in with plans the state is laying.
“We will have a Liberty Tree. Before there was an internet, before there was a cell phone, there was a Liberty Tree. It would be set in the town square and it would hold the messages for everyone. The mayor and the parks department are discussing putting up a Liberty Tree. That is something the state wants to see in every county,” said Kelso. “The state is also working on plans for a torch relay to run through the state. The state is talking about perhaps a patriotic mural. We are waiting to hear more on that.”
Already, organizations from the local garden club to the Veale Creek Theater are making plans for special events and some of the traditional ones are looking to expand and be a part of the 250th year activities.
“The city is discussing a much larger than normal Fourth of July celebration. They are working on that,” said Kelso. “I’ve talked with Charlotte Bell. They are trying to get more involvement in the Daviess County Fair parade and perhaps working some historical themes into that.”
With the opening of The Commons and the burgeoning downtown the committee believes that there will be a lot of opportunities for special activities in Washington, but Kelso says this is a county-wide effort and will include the towns like Odon, Montgomery, Plainville, Elnora and Alfordsville.
“People who are interested in getting involved can reach out to me at 812-254-7777,” she said. “We have a lunch meeting coming up. The next one will be Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the Daviess County Museum.”
She points out that the plan is not just to coordinate activities locally, it is also to market them throughout the state.
“Anyone in the county who is planning on an event between now and July 4, 2026 can get in touch with me to get event sheets that we will fill out and submit to the state of Indiana and they will put it on their website as long as it is tied to the 250 year anniversary of America,” said Kelso.
With so many activities being planned Kelso suggests that volunteers reach out to the group or organization directly.
“People who are looking to volunteer need to reach out to the organizations that they want to help with. I know the Veale Creek Theater is looking for some male singers,” she said. “I don’t know what everyone is going to be doing but everyone is on board with making a plan.”