America Turns 250
Washington Crossing the Delaware (c1870s-1890s)
Harrington G. Fitzgerald (1847-1930)
Museum of the American Revolution
Ottawa County, along with the other 87 counties in the State, is planning a number of events and activities to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
The Shores & Islands website features an America-250 landing page with information on both Ottawa and Erie counties. Visit www.shoresandislands.com/america-250/ for details.
The Shores & Islands website features an America-250 landing page with information on both Ottawa and Erie counties. Visit www.shoresandislands.com/america-250/ for details.
Here are a few highlights:
- June 6, 7, 8, 2026 – “Day in the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper” performances by Brian Ellis at Port Clinton, Put-in-Bay and Lakeside
- July 4, 2026 – Firelands Symphony Concert at Marblehead Lighthouse
- July 26, 2026 – Countywide Community Picnic at Fairgrounds in Oak Harbor
- August 2, 2026 – “Declaration-250” commemorating the signing of the Declaration at Put-in-Bay
- October 10, 2026 – “Ulysses S. Grant Comes to Ottawa County” re-enactment by Curt Fields at Wolcott Keeper’s House
Please see the 2026 Program Guide for complete details on these and other events and activities to celebrate America’s 250th!
Ottawa County Celebrates America’s 250 Years of Freedom
An exhibit showcasing the history of the County within the context of America will be on display at various locations during 2026. Click here for the current schedule.
The exhibit covers seven periods of time—“Pre-1776: A Look Around” touches on what our area looked like prior to the American Revolution and the people in the area; “1776-1814: Unfinished Business” spans the time between the American Revolution and the conclusion of the War of 1812; “1815-1840: A County Is Born” begins Ottawa County’s history; “1841-1900: Growth Spurts” covers how the county developed and its associated industries; “1901-1945: Wars & Great Depression” spans both World Wars and the Depression in between; “1946-2025: Moving Forward” brings the county story up to the present; and “Post-2026: The Journey Continues” concludes the exhibit on an optimistic note for the county’s future. Each panel, except the last, has an “America in Focus” section highlighting major events and milestones in American history. The last panel suggests resources to “Learn More About Ottawa County”.
Accompanying the exhibit is the “Ottawa County Jeopardy” game where contestants have a chance to win prizes. Stop by one of the various exhibit locations, learn a bit of history, and play Jeopardy!
News
Newspaper articles or feature stories (click to view):
- September 3, 2026: America-250 Celebrations Continue in Ottawa County
- August 13, 2026: Ottawa County Purple Heart Recipients Honored at August 7 Ceremony
- August 13, 2026: Riverview Auxilliary Displays Patriotic Christmas Tree for America’s 250th Birthday
- August 6, 2026: Farmers Honored With Historical Marker at Ottawa County Fairgrounds & Oakley Wadsworth: Baby Ottawa County-America 250
- August 6, 2026: Community Picnic Brings Hundreds Together to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday
- July 30, 2026: Ottawa County to Host Purple Heart Ceremony & Declaration-250 Event Highlight of Ottawa County’s America-250 Celebration
- July 23, 2026: Thanking the Sponsors Who Made It Possible for Ottawa County to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday
- July 23, 2026: Invitation to a Picnic
- July 2, 2026: 250 Years in the Making
- June 25, 2026: No Gloves, No Diamond: Vintage “Base Ball” Coming to Marblehead
- June 4, 2026: American Presidents Series Coming to Ottawa County
- May 28, 2026: Statewide Film Festival Comes to Lakeside’s Orchestra Hall
- May 27, 2026: 13-ABC Action News: ‘We the People’ segment: Revolutionary War Veterans Honored in Ohio Cemetery Project
- May 21, 2026: Call to Duty Salute Marker Trail Connects Locals With County Heroes’ Graves
- May 14, 2026: Ohio Goes to the Movies” in Lakeside to See Movie Featuring Marblehead Native
- April 30, 2026: Workers Discover Surprise Hidden in Dirt During Tree Planting at Courthouse
- April 2, 2026: America-250: Things to See & Do This Spring
- March 5, 2026: Ottawa County-America 250 Committee Announces Upcoming Events
- February 5, 2026: Ottawa County Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary With Local Events
- January 15, 2026: Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary With a History Tour Across Ottawa County
- January 9, 2026: 13-ABC News ‘We The People’ segment: Self-Guided Tours of Historic Ottawa and Erie Counties
- January 1, 2026: Public Invited to Help Launch History/Mystery Trail and January – June 2026 OCA-250 Events Schedule
- January 1, 2026: ‘Bright Side’ 13-ABC News (3rd clip after stories on first baby of New Year and Toledo Zoo Christmas lights)
- December 31, 2025: Committee Kicks off History Trail in Ottawa County
- November 20, 2025: Exhibit at Ottawa County Courthouse Highlights Local History
- August 14, 2025: Ottawa County locations included on America 250-Ohio Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail
- June 12, 2025: Countdown to 250: Ohio Trails and Tales
- May 22, 2025: Ottawa County Historical Society event honors Revolutionary War veterans
- May 1, 2025: Countdown to 250: America 1776-2026
- May 2025: Countdown to 250: America 1777-2026 DAR Marker Dedication
- April 28, 2025: Ottawa County Secures Grant to Honor Veterans With Cemetery Markers
- April 24, 2025: Ottawa County Awarded America-250 Ohio Communities Grant for Storytelling and Education Programs
- April 10, 2025: Countdown to 250: One if by Land, Two if by Sea
- March 13, 2025: Ottawa County Flag Raising Launches Local Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary
- February 20, 2025: Countdown to 250: Let the Events Begin
- January 30, 2025: Countdown to 250: Update from the OCA-250 Committee
- April 4, 2024: Ottawa County Group Gets Behind 250th Celebration of America’s Independence in 2026.
County Committee
Known as Ottawa County-America 250 (OCA-250), the County committee consists of 14 individuals representing: government, education, libraries, museums, history, businesses, and civic organizations.
Quarterly meetings are held at the Shores & Islands Welcome Center located at: 770 SE Catawba Road in Port Clinton and are open to the public.
2026 Meetings
Monday, February 9 at 1 PM. Click here for PDF of meeting notes. (last meeting of the County Committee)
2025 Meetings
Monday, February 10 at 1 PM. Click here for PDF of meeting notes.
Monday, May 12 at 1 PM. Click here for PDF of meeting notes.
Monday, August 11 at 1 PM. Click here for PDF of meeting notes.
Monday, November 10 at 1 PM. Click here for PDF of meeting notes.
2024 Meetings
Monday, March 25 at 1 PM. Click here for PDF of meeting notes.
Monday, October 14 at 1 PM. Click here for PDF of meeting notes.
