As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the Robert H. Jackson Center, in partnership with The New York Historical and Made By US, has launched On Our 250th, a nationwide initiative celebrating the nation’s heritage and inspiring a forward-looking dialogue.

On Our 250th invites Americans of all ages to share brief messages that convey their hopes for the nation online and in person at participating museums. Online, messages between five and 50 words can be posted to onour250th.org where visitors can share their messages with sticky notes that will be displayed on-site later this year. The number of participating museums is expected to grow as 2026 approaches.

“On Our 250th is a call to reflect, celebrate, and act,” said Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of The New York Historical. “We are inviting museums and historical institutions across the country to join us in conversation around the ideas that shaped our nation and that influence our lives today, as we enter this momentous semi-quincentennial year. By bringing the voices of Americans together in conversation, we seek to articulate both the ties that bind us as a people, and the wishes of our respective communities for posterity.”

In collaboration with leading museums and historic sites from across the country who are members of Made By Us–including Atlanta History Center, Chicago History Museum, Democracy Center at the Japanese American National Museum, Harriet Beecher Stowe House, The Heurich House Museum, Idaho State Museum, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Levine Museum of the New South, Lincoln Presidential Foundation, National Liberty Museum, National World War I Museum and Memorial, The New York Historical, Revolutionary Spaces, Robert H. Jackson Center, Ruth Mott Foundation/Applewood, Senator John Heinz History Center, Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Vermont Historical Society, Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Wyoming State Museum–the campaign ensures that voices from every corner of the nation will be heard and celebrated.

“This project beautifully illustrates the strength that exists when we’re working toward common goals, and how much more we agree on than we may think,” said Kristan McMahon, Jackson Center president. “I believe we can each see our wishes in these hopes for America. I appreciate this project’s particular focus on the younger generations. Justice Jackson said ‘Statecraft in America is youth’s for the taking. There is no reason why they should delay a single day in contributing their part to public opinion.’ ‘On Our 250th’ creates a meaningful opportunity for people across the country to state their dreams, discover these connections and collectively envision our future.”