Easton, PA— May 28, 2026 — Lehigh Valley 250 today announced $1 million in state support to advance a broad regional commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
This investment was directed to the region from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office with bipartisan, bicameral support and will help support exhibitions, performances, educational programming, public events, and tourism promotion across the Lehigh Valley as communities prepare to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026.
Lehigh Valley 250 is a regional initiative bringing together arts, cultural, educational, and historical partners to tell the stories of this region’s role in the founding of the nation and to create meaningful opportunities for residents and visitors to engage in this historic milestone. The collaboration is led by four leading institutions in the region: Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, Lafayette College, and Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.
“This investment helps ensure that the Lehigh Valley will play a visible, meaningful, and inspiring role in America’s 250th anniversary,” said Megan van Ravenswaay, Executive Director of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society. “It allows our region to celebrate its history, lift up untold stories, and create experiences that bring people together across communities.”
The investment comes from a bipartisan effort from both Democrats and Republicans in the State Senate and the House of Representatives. Funding will support planning, coordination, promotion, and programming throughout the region, including original exhibitions, public celebrations, educational initiatives, performances, and collaborative community events. It will also strengthen regional marketing efforts designed to attract visitors and showcase the Lehigh Valley’s unique place in the American story.
“Lehigh Valley 250 is about partnership,” Tony Pierucci, says Executive Director of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. “This funding strengthens our ability to work across institutions, municipalities, and neighborhoods to create a commemoration that is inclusive, engaging, and deeply rooted in place.”
Lehigh Valley 250 began in 2019 to prepare for the semiquinncentennial and have been guided by four key priorities: uncovering and sharing untold local stories, engaging diverse communities in reflection, building lasting partnerships, and expanding cultural tourism.
The initiative will feature programming that connects Revolutionary history, industrial innovation, civic identity, and the stories of the diverse communities that have shaped the Lehigh Valley across generations. In addition, a microgrant program has been opened to help support regional events with 2026 programs. Additional information about the grant program can be found here: https://delawareandlehigh.org/lehigh-valley-250-project-funding-requests/
“As we approach 2026, this work is about more than looking back,” said Jessica Edris, Project Coordinator for Lehigh Valley 250. “It is also about inviting people to reflect on who we are today and how we want to tell our shared story moving forward.”
The full press event can be viewed in full here: https://lehighvalley250.org/current-news
Lehigh Valley 250 will continue to share updates, events, and partnership opportunities in the months ahead. For more information, visit www.lehighvalley250.org
About Lehigh Valley 250
Lehigh Valley 250 is a regional initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States through exhibitions, performances, educational programming, and public events. Through collaboration across the arts, culture, education, and history sectors, Lehigh Valley 250 seeks to uncover untold stories, engage diverse communities, strengthen partnerships, and expand cultural tourism across the region.
Information provided to TVL by:
Jessica Edris
