Texas America250

Highlighting Texas’s role in the formation of America

In 2026, America commemorates and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While many eyes will be focused along the east coast of the country, western states have had a formative impact on the USA as we know it today.

A Joint Resolution of the 87th Texas Legislature, SCR23, signed by Governor Greg Abbott on May 28, 2021, established the Texas America 250 Commission, "to help celebrate the semiquincentennial of the United States."

The Texas America250 Commission aspires to promote a deeper understanding of the founding of the United States and the contributions of Texans as we strive towards a more perfect union for future generations. Led by five appointed state entities and an advisory panel, the Commission’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary by building awareness of the role of Texas in the formation of the nation that ties the past to the present and the future.

Each state agency designee, in partnership with the America250 Commission, is committed to leading these commemorative efforts in Texas through five key goals:

  • Enhance civic knowledge of the founding principles of the country and the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
  • Encourage Texans to unite in commemorating the Semiquincentennial
  • Promote scholarship and research that illuminates the history of the American West and Texas' role in the formation of the nation
  • Recognize the service and sacrifices of veterans and their families who have protected our liberties and independence for future generations
  • Collect, track, and share information about Texas events and activities planned for the 250th, and assess and report to the State on their impact
America’s 250th anniversary is about more than reflecting on our past, it’s about honoring the contributions of individuals who built this country, the innovations that put this country on the map and a man on the moon, and imagining what the next 250 years might look like for our children and the generations to come. Rosie Rios, Chair, U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission

Texas America250 Commission | Current Members

  • America250.org: Lynn Forney Young, Board Member from Texas 
  • Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism: Tim Fennel, Director 
  • Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission: Rodney Franklin, State Parks Division Director
  • State Board of Education: Pat Hardy, SBOE Commission Member
  • Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Jelain Chubb, State Archivist/Director, Archives and Information Services Division
  • Bullock Texas State History Museum: Margaret Koch, Director, TXAM250 Chair

Texas America250 Commission Advisory Panel | Current Members

  • Humanities Texas
  • NASA Liaison 
  • State Historian
  • State Preservation Board
  • Texas America250 Liaison — National Parks Service
  • Texas Association of Museums
  • Texas Department of Transportation
  • Texas General Land Office
  • Texas Historical Commission
  • Texas PBS
  • Texas Secretary of State's Office

Resources

Upcoming Meetings

October 10, 2024 at 11 a.m. CST | Zoom link 

Meeting Minutes

For inquiries on how you can participate in America's Semiquincentennial, email contactTXAM250@thestoryoftexas.com.

Banner image: Santa Elena Canyon, 2017. Courtesy Bullock Texas State History Museum

The trademark ‘AMERICA 250’ is owned by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and is licensed to the Texas America 250 Commission for limited use, time and purpose. The Texas America 250 Commission is a wholly independent State entity.

The Texas America250 Commission is an officially recognized State/Territory Partner of <a href="https://america250.org/">America250.org</a>, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical partner of a federal agency. Together, this partnership jointly commemorates American history and culture in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.
The Texas America250 Commission is an officially recognized State/Territory Partner of America250.org, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical partner of a federal agency. Together, this partnership jointly commemorates American history and culture in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.