Local Historical Society Support

On the 250th Anniversary

In 2025 and 2026, the United States and Vermont each mark 250 years since their founding. It is a rare and significant moment that invites communities across the state to pause and reflect on the long arc of history that has shaped the places we live. For local historical societies, this anniversary is more than a calendar event; it is an opportunity to step forward as essential educational partners in their communities. 

Vermont's proficiency-based graduation requirements ask students to think like historians, asking them to inquire, analyze evidence, and understand change over time. The primary sources, photographs, documents, and objects held in local collections are exactly the raw material that kind of learning demands. At a time when social studies curriculum is largely locally determined and many schools have limited dedicated history resources, historical societies are uniquely positioned to connect teachers and students to the people, places, and stories that make Vermont's contribution to the American story both specific and real. The 250th is not simply a moment to celebrate, it is an invitation to commemorate, to call our communities to memory together, and to do so with honesty, depth, and purpose.

Introducing a Resource Document

To help local historical societies begin that work, we have put together a practical guide that you are welcome to download, adapt, and share. The guide walks through how to frame the 250th as an act of commemoration rather than simple celebration, and provides concrete suggestions for connecting your collections to local classrooms and teachers. It is not a prescriptive plan. It is a starting point, designed to meet societies where they are and help them think expansively about what they already hold and what they are already positioned to offer. Click the button below to access the PDF.