The United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial) on July 4, 2026, marking two and a half centuries since the Declaration of Independence.

Join us at the library, a few weeks early, as we observe and celebrate. There will be a range of activities for adults and families including speakers, activities, and cake!

Sheilah Vance, is the author of several bestselling and award-winning books will speak. They are the award-winning nonfiction book, Threshold to Valley Forge: The Six Days of the Gulph Mills Encampment (2025), the novel Becoming Valley Forge (2016), Creativity for Christians: How to Tell Your Story and Stories of Overcoming from the Members of One Special Church (Sept. 2010); the novels Chasing the 400 and Land Mines, and its companion journal, Journaling through Land Mines.

Threshold to Valley Forge: The Six Days of the Gulph Mills Encampment was named a Finalist, Regional NonFiction, Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2025. Becoming Valley Forge won the Regional Fiction Category in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (2016).

She is also the author of the mini-ebook, Six Days in December: General George Washington's and the Continental Army's Encampment on Rebel Hill, December 13 - 19, 1777, a prequel to Becoming Valley Forge.

Chasing the 400 has been a Top 20 bestseller at Black Expressions Book Club, and Land Mines was a Featured Selection for Women's Fiction.

Ms. Vance will speak and sign copies of her local history book.

Educator Christian Klemp will appear in Revolutionary Era clothing to talk about colonial history and the revolution.

Representatives from the Peter Wentz Farmstead will lead patrons in quill writing (register separately for this).

Our sewing teacher, Nancy M., will lead a sewing class making folk flags (register separately for this).

Teens from the library's cooking & culture club will demonstrate colonial cooking.

We'll also have colonial games, trivia, and even a few prizes.

Lastly, there will be cake!

Registration helps us plan, but is not absolutely necessary. Coming together as community to remember our history is what is most important.