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National Resources
Maine is one of 56 states/territories with a commission that helps coordinate activities and programming for the upcoming Semiquincentennial. Maine is connected to these coordinating programs primarily through two organizations.
- American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
AASLH provides leadership and resources for history practitioners and organizations of all types and sizes. They monitor national, regional, and local commemoration plans, advocate for greater funding, convene stakeholders across the nation, and develop publications, workshops, and events to assist those preparing for the anniversary.
- 250th Anniversary Program Handbook: Your Guide to Planning for the U.S. Semiquincentennial
- The Field Guide for the Semiquincentennial: Making History At 250
- National Initiative Tracker: check here to find the most up-to-date information on what’s happening across the country!
- America250
The mission and vision of America250 is, “to commemorate and celebrate our 250th anniversary with inclusive programs that inspire Americans to renew and strengthen our daring experiment in democracy. The shared experiences of America250 will have ignited our imaginations, elevated our diverse stories, inspired service in our communities, and demonstrated the lasting durability of the American project.”
- America’s Field Trip
America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.
Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”
Submissions will be accepted until Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Our American Story
Our American Story is an oral and visual storytelling project aimed at collecting and preserving our nation’s stories. This is your opportunity to nominate a living person – a friend, family member, neighbor, or community leader – whose story you think needs to be shared and preserved.
- National Park Service: Semiquincentennial Grants
The Semiquincentennial Grant Program was created by Congress in 2020 to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States by restoring and preserving sites and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places that commemorate the founding of the nation. For the purposes of this grant program, the "founding of the nation" is defined as the period ending in 1815. This end date corresponds to the defeat of British naval forces at the Battle of New Orleans and the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent by Congress. These events brought a close to the War of 1812, marking the end of military hostilities between the United States and Great Britain which had begun with the American Revolution. The founding of the nation does not have a defined starting period to be inclusive of the many cultures that combined to create the America of today.
Historic resources supported by this program may include those associated with the political ideas, well-known individuals, pivotal events, or sites of conflict typically thought of in conjunction with this period of American history. However, built resources can successfully illustrate concepts of "nationhood" and "America" regardless of where they are located. Such resources may reflect what people thought and did and lived, and thus illustrate the lifeways, folkways, foodways, people, places, events, and condition of culture and society during the formation of the country.
- Youth250
For 250 years, the American story has been written by young people. Today's young adults, Gen Z, are at the helm of a global youth wave, ushering in our future. How we mark this moment matters — for today and for tomorrow.
Youth250 is the dynamic, nonpartisan initiative to capture young people's imaginations, ideas and input as the United States turns 250 years old in 2026.
State and Regional Resources
- Abbe Museum
The Abbe Museum’s mission is to illuminate and advance greater understanding of and support for Wabanaki Nations’ heritage, living cultures, and homelands.
- Cultural Alliance of Maine
CAM is the first coordinated, statewide industry alliance advancing the visibility and capacity of our diverse statewide cultural sector via collective learning, research, communications, and advocacy.
- Historic New England
Historic New England is the oldest and largest regional heritage organization in the nation. They save and share New England’s past to engage and inform present and future generations. They engage diverse audiences in developing a deeper understanding and enjoyment of New England home life by being the national leader in collecting, preserving, and using significant buildings, landscapes, archives, stories, and objects from the past to today.
- Maine Association of Archives & Museums
Maine Archives & Museums is the only professional association representing museums, archives, historical societies and other collecting institutions in the State of Maine. MAM actively stimulates the flow of knowledge and support among organizations and individuals in Maine who identify, collect, interpret, and/or provide access to materials relating to history, living collections, and culture, in order to strengthen and promote all collecting institutions in Maine. We seek to fulfill this purpose by providing continuing professional education; providing a forum for the exchange of information among individuals and institutions; facilitating collaboration with other organizations and individuals that represent allied disciplines; and promoting member institutions and businesses to the public.
- Maine Historical Society
Maine Historical Society preserves and shares Maine's story. MHS enriches life in contemporary Maine by exploring the essential connections between our past, present, and future, celebrating our sense of place, and recognizing the contributions that all people make to the Maine Experience. MHS envisions a Maine in which all people feel connected, empowered, and inspired by history, and embrace the critical role that history plays in Maine’s well-being and vitality.
- Maine Preservation
Maine Preservation, founded in 1972, is a statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization. Their mission is to promote and preserve historic places, buildings, downtowns and neighborhoods, strengthening the cultural and economic vitality of Maine communities.
- Maine State Archives
The Maine State Archives, a bureau within the Department of Secretary of State, maintains approximately eight miles of official State records considered to be permanently valuable. Our historical material includes documents such as the original state constitution, reported election results, legislative bills, and policies and research created by state agencies among much more. The Maine State Archives includes two divisions:
- Archives Services Division preserves and provides access to many archival records, including those mentioned above. Researchers may request general information or specific records by contacting Archives Services in person, by phone, or email.
- Records Management Division helps to establish and administer efficient and effective records management programs within State and local governments and ensure records are being retained for appropriate periods of time through Records Retention Schedules.
- Maine State Library
The Maine State Library helps people, makes Maine libraries stronger and transforms information into knowledge.
- Maine State Museum
The Maine State Museum seeks to share what is meaningful about Maine and its place in the world, in order to inspire people to discover Maine’s past, understand its present, and imagine its future.
- Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education
Founded in the spirit of lifelong learning and a deep commitment to our communities, the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education at the University of Southern Maine enables free public access to and engagement with five centuries of cartographic materials via University, K-12, and public educational outreach; the preservation and digitization of our collections; gallery exhibitions; research and scholarship; and public programming that collectively promotes the continued relevance of maps and mapping as tools to help patrons understand the past and the present, and to imagine the future.
- Wabanaki REACH
Wabanaki REACH supports the self-determination of Wabanaki people through education, truth-telling, restorative justice, and restorative practices in Wabanaki and Maine communities.