New York State 250th Commemoration Field Guide

The Office of State History and Association of Public Historians of New York State (APHNYS) Announce the Release of the New York State 250th Commemoration Field Guide

2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the foundational document of the revolution that occurred between 1774 and 1783 and resulted in the creation of the United States of America. What is now the State of New York played an immense and vital role in both the Revolutionary Era and the subsequent 250 years of American history. Planning for such an important commemoration in a comprehensive way at the local, regional, and/ or state level can be a daunting task. Because of this, the Association of Public Historians of New York State (APHNYS) has partnered with the Office of State History at the New York State Museum to produce the New York State 250th Commemoration Field Guide which provides suggested commemorative themes, ideas, and information to help planners at the local and regional level in all parts of the state.

We ask you to consider each of the themes in this field guide as suggestions for how your community or organization can begin to think about commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of this nation. Each local community and region of the state has its own unique story to tell which together tell the history of the state itself. We urge you to take this once-per-half-century opportunity to help tell that history so that it may be preserved for the coming centuries. 

If your organization or community would like to be included in the digital field guide please get in touch with statehistory@nysed.gov.

Download the New York State 250th Commemoration Field Guide.