Hi Anna,

Our approach at the Library of Michigan with our monthly virtual programs (www.Michigan.gov/LMPublicPrograms) is to have several programs that focus on the early development of Michigan as both a territory and state, the collection/preservation of the stories of that initial generation of Michiganders, and other topics faced by researchers of that time period (e.g., vital records prior to 1867, the Public Land Survey System, using out of state collections for Michigan research).

Our colleagues/neighbors at the Michigan State Capitol Education & History Department approached the America 250 themes from how the Michigan Capitol building - and the community of people connected to it - fit within the larger American story: https://www.mscexhibits.org/america-250-programs-schedule. Their programs so far have focused on the architecture of capitol buildings, Michigan Constitutions & Constitutional Conventions, and how the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society was collecting history in the 1870s. Many of their future programs follow similar themes.

The story of our state offers many ways of exploring the themes of the America 250 celebration and celebrating Michigan’s contributions to the American story. Besides looking at our program list and those of the Michigan State Capitol Education & History Department, I’d also suggest looking at the America250MI website: https://www.america250mi.org/. There are certainly plenty of ideas on there that the Historical Society of Michigan has compiled together. If you (or anyone else) want to have a further conversation about this, feel free to reach out.

Thanks!

Adam

Adam Oster, Community Engagement Librarian

Library of Michigan

Michigan Department of Education

702 W. Kalamazoo St.

P.O. Box 30007

Lansing, MI 48909-7507

ostera@michigan.gov | 517-335-1469 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan

From: Anna Merritt via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 2:56 PM
To: michlib-l@liblists.org
Subject: [Michlib-l] Celebrating America250

CAUTION: This is an External email. Please report suspicious emails via the "Report to Abuse" button in Outlook

Hello All,

Is anyone else having trouble navigating the America250 without bringing up politics or glossing over aspects of America’s history…?

Ideas for programs, displays, etc. seem to either 1.) Put out an uber-patriotic ideal or 2.) Invite debate about current events and politics…

How can we find a balance between sugarcoating our nation’s history and being to ‘woke’ for our more conservative patrons?

All ideas and feedback are welcome. No judgment.

Anna Merritt

(she/her)

Assistant Director / Adult Programmer / Interloan Specialist

Richland Community Library

8951 Park Street

Richland, MI 49083

(269) 629-9085

ZV283

https://www.richlandlibrary.org/

--
This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by
E.F.A. Project, and is believed to be clean.