RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – In 2026, America will be 250 years old. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo is calling on Nevadans to prepare for a significant event.

“This is a historic moment to celebrate,” Lombardo said. “But more important than the fireworks and parades is an opportunity to use this time to come together as Americans and Nevadans.”

“Of course, over our 250 years, we have a rich indigenous history that we would like to tell, we have a mining history, our Western culture,” said Brenda Scolari, director of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

America250 is a national, nonpartisan initiative to honor America’s birthday. Lombardo introduced America250, a national, nonpartisan initiative, to honor America’s birthday. He highlighted the importance of 2025 as a year of planning and collaboration. In addition to the national celebration, Lombardo announced that America250 had invited every state to participate in its festivities and introduced America250 Nevada, an effort to commemorate the anniversary with events that honor America’s milestone while highlighting the contributions of Silver State, its journey to statehood, and the people and events that shaped its history.

“We envision participation from all corners of our great state, and I hope Nevadans rise to the occasion,” Lombardo said. “Their dedication and passion have continued to drive growth in Nevada. I hope we use this moment to honor our past, strengthen our present, and inspire hope for our future.

The executive order was approved by Congress in 2016. “Many Eastern states have been planning for several years. The governor issued an executive order creating our initiative this year,” Scolari added.

A major launch of the America250 campaign will take place on President’s Day next year. He will ask local communities to volunteer and present the history of the Silver State to the state.

Lombardo announced that America250 Nevada is implementing several efforts to educate, engage and celebrate Nevada’s contribution to American history, led by the America250 Nevada Planning and Advisory Committee and the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Nevada. In particular, the entities are planning immersive and inclusive initiatives focused on Nevada heritage, including a mobile history initiative, engagement opportunities, signature programs, and opportunities for the public to participate in planning.

The flagship initiative, Traveling Treasures, will be a mobile history program used as a central engagement tool for the six-month promotion beginning in January 2026. The Division of Museums and History will bring Nevada history to key parts of the state with an immersive experience. experience to examine and discuss key elements of Nevada’s history and encourage visitors to envision the state’s future 50, 100 and 250 years from now, and will operate beyond 2026.

“Data has shown us that volunteering and civic engagement are declining. It’s all over the country. We would really like one outcome of this legacy to be that residents, especially students, know how to get more involved,” Scolari said. It will also boost community engagement and Constitutional education.

“Their plans are designed to help us learn about the Constitution, engage with our friends and family in volunteer projects across Nevada, and celebrate our nation,” Lombardo added.

The America250 planning committee is working to secure state and federal funding to support local communities who want to participate in the initiative. The America250 Nevada Planning Committee is planning initiatives that will activate diverse voices in the state’s past and present, and elevate those that will lead us into the future, including:

• Nevada Story Collective: Online and in-person story collection events to showcase and preserve Nevada’s rich stories. This series of storytelling events will bring together personal stories from Nevadans across the state on topics such as American and Nevadan identity and life in Nevada.
  
• Nevada Voices Exchange Speakers Bureau: A roster of speakers, storytellers and educators will be available to engage with schools, businesses and communities across the state. The Speakers Bureau will focus on the themes of Nevada’s history, art, culture and future.
  
• Silver State Changemakers: In partnership with the Nevada Department of Education, this program will identify specific funding needs in our schools that will make a difference in student engagement and achievement, and will operate in perpetuity beyond 2026 .
  
• Nevada Gives Volunteer Projects: The campaign will support 36 volunteer projects – one for each state in the Union at the time of our founding – ranging from cleanups to art installations. Each project aims to engage surrounding communities, promote civic engagement, and foster a sense of unity among Nevadans.
  
• Community Calendar: There will be an online community calendar to help promote all events happening across the state.
  

The America250 Nevada Planning and Advisory Committee is made up of a mix of people from state agencies and nonprofit entities, including the Nevada Division of Museums and History, the Arts Council of Nevada, Nevada Indian Commission, Nevada Humanities, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, Nevada Volunteers, Nevada State Library, Public Archives and Records, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Education and Secretary of State.

For more information about America250 Nevada, visit www.america250nevada.org. For more information about America250, visit www.america250.org.

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