UPDATE 11-3-25:
UPDATE 10-30-25:
The Vance County America 250 committee convened Thursday afternoon to begin making plans to celebrate the 250th birthday of these United States.
Vance County Economic Development Director Ferdinand Rouse led the meeting, but the group will be chaired by Barbara Harrison, with Angie Ryan serving as vice chair and Tem Blackburn serving as secretary.
Dr. Tim Hall, K-12 Social Studies instructional coordinator for Vance County Schools, also was present at the meeting.
Harrison is Regent of the John Penn chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution located in Oxford and Blackburn is vice president of the Vance County Historical Society.
This initial meeting was a brainstorming session, and Rouse provided some context for the local group. The group will meet again on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. at a location to be determined.
The N.C. Department of Cultural Affairs is the point agency for North Carolina, and the official kickoff was in April 2025. Of course, the big event will be July 4 of 2026, but Rouse said events and activities may continue until 2033. The county group will have access to logos and emblems to use for local activities, both existing and new that the committee may create.
County Manager Renee Perry had told commissioners that the county had received a $10,000 grant to fund local America 250 activities and events.
There are existing activities that could be aligned with the special commemoration – think July 4 fireworks at Kerr Lake, for example.
And Blackburn said the historical society is working to secure grant funding to place two-sided banners on Garnett, Breckenridge and Chestnut streets to honor the 125 Vance County individuals who died in wars from World War I to the Iraq War.
Blackburn said the thinking is to put up the banners and have a special ceremony for each war, beginning with the 22 soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.
They’ve got photos of 60 of the 125, but they’ll need help to continue tracking down photos – preferably of the individuals in their uniforms – of the others.
The Veterans Memorial that will be installed in front of the police station is another existing activity that can be aligned with the 250th celebration. Blackburn said the plan is to have that installation complete by July 4, 2026.
Harrison, who is Regent of the John Penn Chapter of the DAR in Oxford, said she’s put in a lot of hours working to get the 13-mile stretch of U.S. 158 between Henderson and Oxford officially recognized as the John Penn Highway.
Apparently, way back in 1927, the highway was given the designation, but there never were any signs placed.
“It’s been granted,” Harrison said of the name designation. “Now it’s a matter of getting the signs.”
Other ideas discussed included the possibility of having a special performance at McGregor Hall of the Broadway show “1776.” If not a live production, then at least a showing of the movie. Concerts by the Community Band or by school bands or choral groups with a theme of patriotic music also were discussed.
Visit https://www.america250.nc.gov/ to learn more about what’s happening at the state level to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday.
To view a recording of the meeting, click here – from the Vance County YouTube Channel.
But we will have more to post here soon.
UPDATE 10-29-25:
The Vance County America 250 Committee will meet October 30, 2025 for the first time. The meeting will take place in the commissioner’s meeting room (old courthouse/Admin Building) starting at 4 p.m. and is scheduled to last as long as two hours.
The County intends to make it available on the County’s YouTube Channel as well (here).
Evidenced in the agenda below from the County’s web page, the committee intends to establish itself more formally and begin the earliest stages of planning.
- Welcome and opening remarks – County Manager
- Brief introductions of all attendees (name, role, and interest in the committee)
- Nominations and election of officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer (if applicable)
- Discussion of officer roles and responsibilities
- Background on the national and state America 250 celebrations
- Overview of local goals and opportunities for participation
- Identify key focus areas (e.g., education, community engagement, heritage, arts and culture, events)
- Brainstorming ideas for local America 250 events and initiatives
- Identification of potential partners (schools, civic groups, historical societies, etc.)
- Summary of decisions made and action items
- Determine frequency of meetings (monthly, quarterly, etc.)
- Set next meeting date and location
- Closing remarks from the Chair
WIZS will continue to update this post and provide details on the radio.
