The Niagara USA 250th Committee, created to coordinate local celebrations, to garner interest in Niagara County’s rich history and to strengthen Niagara County’s status as a heritage tourism destination for our nation’s 250th birthday in 2026, has received $7,500 from the Niagara County Legislature to fund initial planning activities. The 25-member committee is comprised of historical and cultural organizations, community leaders, tourism officials, educators, elected officials and community volunteers. The funding came from the county’s Community Partnership program.
“The Niagara USA 250th Committee is really looking to jump start efforts to get local governments, organizations and the public thinking about our nation’s milestone birthday in 2026,” said Niagara County Legislator Irene Myers, a member of the committee. “We hope to have a dedicated website up and running soon and significantly increase community engagement in planning activities.”
This funding announcement coincides with the inaugural meeting of the New York 250 Commemoration Commission in Albany this past Wednesday. The State Commission named the years 2024-2033 as the commemoration era, taking in the New York State Parks centennial in 2024, the Erie Canal Bicentennial in 2025 and the nation’s 250th in 2026. The State Commission will continue its work through 2033, the 250th anniversary of the treaty that ended the American Revolution.
The Niagara County Committee has been meeting since October 2023. The committee is asking municipal officials and cultural organizations to begin thinking about events and programs to celebrate these significant anniversaries. The committee hopes to coordinate commemorative efforts regionally to drive heritage tourism and educate area residents about Niagara County’s fascinating history. Area residents are invited to submit their ideas to niagaraUSA250@gmail.com.
Pictured left to right: Ian Seppala, Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum; Tom Collister, Historical Association of Lewiston; Catherine Emerson, Niagara County Historian; Lindsey Lauren Visser, Niagara Aerospace Museum; Marjorie Maggard, Lewiston Historian; Irene Myers, Niagara County Legislator; Robert Emerson, Old Fort Niagara; Clark Godshall, Niagara Orleans BOCES; Richard Andres, Niagara County Legislator; and James Lester, Niagara County Historical Society
