America 250

The American Flag waving in front of Mt. Mckinley against a clear blue Alaskan sky.

NPS photo

 

As the proud steward of America’s most sacred historical places, the National Park Service joins the nation in celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.

Alaska has remarkable stories of diverse indigenous culture, breathtaking scenery, natural resources, and large swaths of protected land that existed even before our country was founded. As we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, we invite you to join us for a variety of programs and commemorations that connect Alaska’s story to what makes our country great.

 

Historic Occasions and Inspiring Places:

From Independence Hall in Philadelphia to the Statue of Liberty in New York, at Revolutionary War battlefields from Lexington and Concord to Yorktown, and at monuments and memorials honoring our nation’s founders, national parks across the country will serve the American people by embracing our mission to provide opportunities for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
NPS Commemorations and Celebrations (U.S. National Park Service)

 

Ways to Participate

Revolutionary War Pension Project

The National Park Service and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) are collaborating on a special project to transcribe the pension records of more than 80,000 of America’s first veterans and their widows. The project will make a permanent contribution to the historical record for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Fairbanks Memory Museum

Help us paint a Picture of Alaska History!

Do you have old photos? Heirlooms? A story to share? We are looking for people to be part of a public history project! Be a part of this important celebration and help us showcase the rich history of our community.

The Fairbanks Memory Museum is a community-centered, interactive exhibit celebrating and preserving the diverse history of Fairbanks. Through artifacts, photographs, and stories shared by local residents, the exhibit offers a unique lens into our collective past. We invite community members to contribute meaningful historical materials—such as objects, documents, and photographs—along with the stories behind them, either in writing or through oral histories.

These contributions are displayed in a special pop-up exhibit at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and will be digitized for an online archive.

 

Two women with a young girl between them stand facing away from the camera. Their arms are raised as if they are embracing the beautiful view of the hills and forestry they are facing.

NPS photo

Pub Trivia

Join us on September 9th 2025 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks for an evening of history! Celebrate America’s 250th birthday and dive into the rich and rugged history of Alaska! Test your knowledge and explore unique stories that make Alaska a vital part of the American story.

Ranger Led Programming

Medicinal Plant Walk

An interactive walk focusing on the cultural, and ecological significance of some of Alaska’s medicinal plants. This hands-on experience introduces visitors to get to know a different side of many of the plants they have been seeing, inviting reflection on our relationship to land and place. Leave with a deeper sense of connection, practical plant knowledge, and tools to become a more respectful and informed land steward.

History Walk

Join us for a look at the Fairbanks community over the last 100 years. Who has made up this place we call home. We’ll walk to the Clay Stret Cemetery and discuss the themes of home, community, identity and belonging. Walk is approximately 1.5 miles and takes about an hour.