For the next year, Mississippi will take part in America250, a variety of projects, initiatives and programming aimed at unifying Americans while venerating the country’s history, culture and ideas in celebration of the country’s upcoming 250th birthday. Nancy Carpenter, America250 Mississ ippi’s development director, said that these celebrations are open to every American, regardless of their background or beliefs.  “I know that right now everybody does not love each other, everybody does not get along, and my hope and prayer is that things can change and will change for the betterment of our state and our country,” she said. The Mississippi Legislature established the America250 Mississippi Commission in 2023, and celebrations began in July of 2025. The commission is co-chaired by Elee Reeves, wife of Gov. Tate Reves; Lynn Hosemann, wife of Lt. Gov Delbert Hosemann; and Jolynn White, wife of House Speaker Jason White. The commission is working with state agencies such as Visit Mississippi, the Mississippi Arts Commission and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. There are local and national events and initiatives in celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Mississippi has been part of past and ongoing national events, including America250’s Our American Story airstream, the Great American State Fair contest and Flag Sojourn 250.  Sarah Campbell, director of the state’s Archives and History  programs and communication division, said there will be programming highlighting the state’s contributions to America, including its roles in Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement. Robert Luckett, director of the Margaret Walker Center and Civil Rights Education Center at Jackson State University, said it is important to tell whole story during America250 celebration. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today “When we talk about a nation founded on the principles of liberty and justice, Mississippi has been part of defining what that means, so that’s the part of the story that we’re telling,” Campbell said. Mississippi began its America250 celebrations in July with a nationalization ceremony at the Two Mississippi Museums. An exhibit called “Mississippi Made,” which will showcase artifacts that tell of Mississippi’s contributions across various fields, will debut at the museums in 2026. Archives and History also received a grant for the First Oval Office Project, to install a replica of George Washington’s tent from the Revolutionary War at the Old Capitol Museum. This project is in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution. Vendors and communities are encouraged to submit their events to be featured on the America250 Mississippi Commission’s website. The America250 Mississippi Grant Program, funded by the Mississippi Legislature, gives communities the opportunity to join the festivities. The commission wants to ensure every corner of the state is included. There are three types of grants depending on the scale of the project: mini grants, program grants and legacy grants. The Mississippi Humanities Council administers the grant program.  Carol Andersen, assistant director of the Humanities Council, said the response to the request for proposals has been “robust.” Andersen said, “They (grant proposals) have come from across the state. They have come from the tiniest organizations up to the largest nonprofit entities functioning in our state.” Information about requirements and deadlines is on the Mississippi Humanities Council’s website. The Mississippi Arts Commission, as part of the celebration, also is offering a public art grant.  Robert Luckett is a history professor and director of the Margaret Walker Center and Civil Rights Education Center at Jackson State University. The Margaret Walker Center is planning to commemorate the holiday with a 60th anniversary celebration of Margaret Walker’s novel, “Jubilee.”  The historical novel tells the story of a biracial slave during the Civil War. Luckett also said the Margaret Walker Center is applying for an America250 program grant. Luckett believes that it’s important to tell the full story of Mississippi’s history. “We have stories to tell. We have powerful, wonderful stories to tell, to lift up, to celebrate, of people who risked and gave everything in the name of this nation and in the name of what has been built up over the last 250 years,” he said. “And that is something we should be very proud of, but we also cannot tell those stories without talking about what they were up against.” ...read more read less