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
Upcoming America 250 Events
Greene County's America 250 celebrations will continue throughout 2026 with the following events. Details for some events are still being finalized – check back for updates.
August 7, 2026 – Nathanael Greene's Birthday
A celebration honoring Nathanael Greene, the Revolutionary War general and namesake of Greene County. Details to be announced.
November 2026 – Statue of Liberty Rededication
The Statue of Liberty replica on the courthouse lawn is anticipated to be restored and rededicated as the final America 250 event of the year. Date and details to be confirmed.
Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence and Ice Cream Social
July 8, 2026
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."
On July 8, 250 years to the day after Colonel John Nixon delivered the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, his descendant, former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, read those same words in the Historic Greene County Courthouse Rotunda. Gov. Jeremiah "Jay" Nixon is the 11th Jeremiah Nixon in the line; his son is the 12th, and his grandson the 13th. The Nixons landed in Philadelphia in 1687 aboard a ship called the Endeavor.
Governor Nixon reminded us the Declaration "reads just as clear today as it did 250 years ago," urging us to look back to our values and forward to how we use them to make things better for more people. He spoke about why the document still matters and said the founders were serious about every word and every comma. It was the first time Americans put down in writing who we were and why we sought independence, part legal argument and part call to arms. Most of all, he reminded us that the Declaration transformed the people here from subjects into citizens, and citizenship comes with responsibility. His charge to all of us: resist apathy with action, engage courteously, and above all, vote.
Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and former Greene County Circuit Judge Max Bacon, longtime friends from opposite sides of the political aisle, shared a timely message on civility: "We believe in unity, not uniformity."
Thank you to our speakers, the many state and local officials who joined us, the Greene County Democratic and Republican Women's Clubs for cohosting the old-fashioned ice cream social, the County’s 250 organizing group, and everyone who attended. Here's to 250 years of self-government and to our shared responsibility to preserve the freedoms declared that day.
Flag Day
June 14, 2026
On Friday, June 12, the Greene County Commission hosted its annual Flag Day celebration in the Rotunda of the Historic Courthouse. The event honored the establishment of the U.S. flag, which dates back to June 14, 1777, when the second Continental Congress officially adopted it. The event featured a presentation by the Ozark Mountain chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, a musical performance by the Courthouse Chorale, and a proclamation from the Commission.
Honor Plaque Dedication for Revolutionary War Patriots Buried in Greene County
On Apr. 24, the Sons of the American Revolution dedicated an honor plaque recognizing Revolutionary War patriots buried in Greene County. Many served under General Nathanael Greene, the commander trusted by George Washington and the namesake of our county.
Greene County Archives Director, Connie Yen, read each patriot's name into the official Greene County record. The Greene County Commissioners formally received the plaque, which is now permanently displayed in the Historic Courthouse Rotunda.
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.
KY3 Media Highlight