Lackawanna County’s Arts and Culture Department will offer grants to each of the county’s 40 municipalities for projects celebrating the area’s history as the nation marks its 250th anniversary in 2026.
The county is coordinating its celebration of that major milestone with the nonpartisan U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and America250, a nonprofit supporting the commission Congress established in 2016 to “plan and orchestrate” the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The grants of up to $1,000 each will be awarded in January and entirely funded by the county Arts and Culture Department.
Eligible county municipalities must use the grant funds to create or expand an existing community project or event that celebrates the area’s history. The grant-supported projects will be among 250 county events throughout 2026 that celebrate the semiquincentennial, the county said in a press release that notes celebratory projects will receive special marketing and America250PA media coverage.
“The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future,” according to the Pennsylvania commission’s website.
Each municipality is eligible for one $1,000 grant. If two or more towns plan to collaborate, only one should apply for the grant but each will receive $1,000 for the chosen project, per the county press release.
Municipalities must apply online using the municipality application available on the arts and culture page of the county’s website, lackawannacounty.org. The application deadline is Dec. 1.
“Its celebrating the birthday of the United States,” county Arts and Culture Director Maureen McGuigan said. “It’s important to, I believe, get all municipalities in our county involved, because they’re all a piece of that tapestry of the United States.”