Mentor Public Library plans year-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday
Published by: The News-Herald
By William Tilton
Original article found here
In honor of the founding of the United States of America, Mentor Public Library is throwing a birthday party that is going to last all of 2026.
According to MPL Community Outreach Coordinator Jason Lea, the Mentor library has teamed with the Lake County AM250 Commission to plan commemorative events throughout the county to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
The committee includes representatives from Lake Metroparks, the Lake County Historical Society, Lake County Fair, Leadership Lake County, Tour Lake County, Lake County Commissioners, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution.
During this yearlong party, children will reenact the Boston Tea Party; learn about Mentor’s hometown president, James A. Garfield; and travel through the nation’s history with the American Girls.
Adults can enjoy programs about Ohio inventors, lectures about the nation’s forgotten founders and join a book club discussion of “George Washington’s Secret Six.”
And writers of all ages can submit a poem for the library’s American Poetry Contest.
“We’re excited to collaborate with the AM250 Commission,” said MPL Partnership and Development Manager Cory Blackledge. “Our diverse collections, staff expertise and community spaces made us a natural partner for the Lake County AM250 Commission as it works to highlight compelling and unique stories around America’s semiquincentennial.”
Mentor Public Library is offering a range of programs — both serious and fun.
According to Lea, children can re-enact the Boston Tea Party with the New Connecticut Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution at 1 p.m. on June 4 at MPL’s Main Branch.
The Lake County Bicentennial Bell will also be at the tea party. The bell was forged in Lake County in 2003 to commemorate Ohio’s bicentennial.
“You need to make the past exciting and memorable for kids. And we do that by recreating history and using hands-on activities,” said MPL’s Children’s Department Manager Kim Sidorick.
Children can also explore history through a pair of new monthly clubs.
The Story of America Club explores a different chapter in US history with crafts, activities and a snack that relates to that era.
The next meeting will be at 4 p.m. Feb. 12, at MPL’s Main Branch.
The American Girl and America Club celebrates 250 years of history through the American Girl dolls. The first meeting will be 4 p.m. on Jan. 28 at MPL’s Main Branch.
The kids will revisit the Revolutionary War era with Felicity.
Children can also learn about their state’s history during the From Mentor to Marietta program at 1 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the Main Branch. The kids will explore Ohio’s history through crafts, activities and food.
The library is hosting several AM250 events for adults as well.
Those interested can explore their county’s history during the Scandals and Mansions of Lake County program with the Lake County Historical Society at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 at the Lake Branch.
A librarian will share the crucial role that James Madison served in the creation of the nation during the Forgotten Founder program at 6:30 p.m. on March 26, at the Main Branch.
Mentor Public Library is hosting dozens of AM250 programs in 2026. While all of them are free, some require registration beforehand.