Preparations are underway locally for America’s 250th.th Birthday in 2026.
It’s our country’s 500th anniversary, and the Clarksville-Montgomery County metropolitan area has plans to join in the celebration.
In preparation, Austin Peay State University President Michael Licari, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, Fort Campbell Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Walker and Fort Campbell Historical Foundation President and CEO Master Gen. (ret.) Brian Winski signed a joint proclamation in support of the community celebration under the general title “The Road to 250.”
The American national motto is “e pluribus unum” (out of many, one), and in that spirit, several APSU-led organizations have planned a program to celebrate our nation’s history.
The overall program consists of 14 events (12 dramatic readings, an open house and a concert) and is entitled “The Road to 250: America’s Story”.
Each reading explores an important theme in American history. A narrator tells the story with costumed actors portraying keynote speakers and/or iconic events that illustrate the narrative.
Beginning in the fall semester of 2024, there will be three dramatic readings each semester. The narrators will be subject specialists and the actors will be students from APSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance.
All dramatic readings last approximately one hour, followed by 30 minutes of discussion time, and take place on the stage of the APSU Mabry Auditorium.
The open house will be held in June 2026 at the Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum, sponsored by the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation.
The final event will be an elaborate concert of American music by The Cumberland Winds on the Mabry Auditorium stage, taking place around July 4, 2026. All Road to 250 events are free and open to the public.
Planned meetings are:
1. The Evolution of Democratic Thought and the Prelude to War (by Dr. Richard Gildrie), September 11, 2024.
2. The Revolutionary War (by Dr. Kevin Tanner), Oct. 9, 2024.
3. Writing the Constitution (by Dr. Kevin Tanner, November 13, 2024).
4. Westward Expansion (by Mr Nick Tooley), 12 February 2025.
5. The Military and America, (by Mr. William Parker), March 12, 2025.
6. Economic Growth (by Dr. Greg Zieren), April 9, 2025.
7. Scientific Developments (by Dr. Phil Kemmerly), September 10, 2025.
8. Education in America (by Dr. Carlette Hardin), Oct. 8, 2025.
9. Medical developments (by Dr. Tom Grabenstein), November 12, 2025.
10. American Society, February 11, 2025.
11. American Culture (by Mr. Frank Lott and Dr. Andrea Spofford), March 11, 2026.
12. America and the World (by Dr. Dewey Browder and Dr. Dlynn Williams), April 8, 2026.
13th Fort Campbell Historical Foundation Open House (MG (Ret) Brian Winski) June 2026.
14. 250 Years of American Music (by Mr. Mike Ritter and The Cumberland Winds), July 2-4, 2026.
In addition to the 14-part national history celebration, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Arts and Heritage Council is supporting a community-wide initiative to enable civic groups, churches, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and various associations to share, in the spirit of “e pluribus unum,” how their respective institutions have contributed to the success of the community and the country.
This celebratory series is called “The Road to 250: Community Spirit in Action.” Community members are invited to submit short essays of 250 to 750 words to the Arts and Heritage Council telling their story, accompanied by two or three photographs. Accepted essays will be published regularly in local media starting in April and continuing through the summer of 2026.
Watch for updates on the Clarksville Arts & Heritage Council website: artsandheritage.us/
