America 250th in Adams County, Pa.

Beginning in January 2026, Adams County will commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the United States of America with a year-long event highlighting our community’s contributions to our nation’s history, as well as events, people and places that have shaped our local heritage.

In 2022, an official Adams County Commission was formed to steer local efforts to commemorate the 250^th anniversary in our community.

The Adams County Commission:

• Carl Whitehill, Vice President, Destination Gettysburg*
• Sherri Clayton-Williams, Director, Adams County Office of Planning and Development
• Denise Eberspeaker, Operations Director, Adams County Historical Society
• Charles Gable, Borough Manager, Borough of Gettysburg
• Christopher Gwinn, Chief of Interpretation and Education, Gettysburg National Military Park
• Steve Nevada, County Manager, Adams County
• Erin Pearce, Philanthropy Experience Coordinator, Gettysburg Foundation
• Jill Sellers, Executive Director, Main Street Gettysburg
• Jenna Smith, Comprehensive Planner, Adams County Office of Planning and Development
• Jacqueline White, Board Member, Adams County Historical Society

*Commission Chair and Adams County’s Liaison to the American250PA County Advisory Committee

Our Mission:

Engaging the Adams County community to honor the people and events that shaped our nation, to support initiatives that attract visitors, and to provide a lasting economic impact while preserving our local legacy for future generations.

In order to help Adams County achieve these objectives, the Commission has created subcommittees to assist the Commission with a variety of efforts. These subcommittees and their respective board liaisons include:

• Events (Charles Gable)
• Marketing (Carl Whitehill)
• County Heritage (Andrew Dalton and Jacqueline White)
• Community Engagement (Jill Sellers)
• Youth Engagement (Erin Pearce and Jenna Smith)

America 250th Events in Adams County:

Beginning in 2025 and throughout 2026, Adams County will be home to a variety of events that help local residents and visitors alike to reflect on both local and national history. These events will largely be organized by community groups throughout Adams County, but supported, promoted and recognized by the Adams County America 250th Commission.

In late 2024, an online event form will be available for organizations throughout the community to submit as part of the countywide America 250th commemoration.

Stay tuned for more information on America 250^th plans, events and programs happening throughout Adams County through 2026.

America250PA

Adams County’s efforts to commemorate the 250th Anniversary are in conjunction with America250PA – a statewide initiative to bring together the commonwealth’s 67 counties to mark this important milestone.