Greene County's America 250 Celebration

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. Across the nation, communities are coming together to honor the people, events, and ideals that shaped our country's founding. Here in Greene County, the America 250 Commission – working alongside the Rachel Donelson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Ozark Mountain Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and community partners – is organizing a series of public events, exhibits, and ceremonies throughout 2026 to commemorate this historic milestone.

These celebrations invite residents and visitors to explore our nation's revolutionary history, learn about local connections to the American Revolution, and participate in commemorative events hosted at the Historic Greene County Courthouse and other community venues. Below you will find information on past and upcoming events

American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit & Opening Ceremony

March 8, 2026

Greene County kicked off its semiquincentennial celebrations on Sunday, March 8, 2026, with an opening ceremony for the American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit at the Historic Greene County Courthouse Rotunda. The event, hosted by the Rachel Donelson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the County's America 250 Commission, drew community members and history enthusiasts to mark the beginning of a year of commemorative events.

The ceremony featured a keynote address by Renee Pace, Chair of the Show Me Missouri America 250 Commission and NSDAR Curator General, who delivered greetings on behalf of the National DAR Society. Payton Rice of the Quapaw Nation, and member of the Ponca, Sac and Fox tribes, performed the Grass Dance in full regalia, accompanied on drums by his father Cricket Rice. The SAR Color Guard presented Colors in Revolutionary War uniforms, and veterans from each military branch led the Pledge of Allegiance. A brass ensemble performed patriotic music and the Courthouse Chorale sang the National Anthem. City of Springfield Councilmember Abe McGull delivered the Invocation and Chaplain Wendy Akeson delivered the Benediction.

The exhibit featured 12 banners and three interactive kiosks that used storytelling, illustration, technology, unique artifacts, and primary accounts to share the experiences of ordinary people, women, African Americans, Native Americans, and soldiers during the American Revolution. Following the ceremony, the exhibit was open for public viewing every weekday from March 9–17, with Rachel Donelson DAR volunteers on site daily to assist visitors and help those interested in discovering whether they have a Revolutionary War ancestor.

KY3 Media Highlight

KY3's Emily Pritchard featured the American Revolution Experience exhibit as part of the station's "We the People" series. The in-depth segment takes viewers inside the exhibit at the Greene County Historic Courthouse, exploring the stories of ordinary people during the American Revolution through the exhibit's banners, interactive kiosks, and primary historical accounts. Watch the full feature below.