The Niagara County committee charged with organizing local events around America’s 250 th birthday – known as a semiquincentennial – that will take place in 2026, is asking municipal officials, heritage organizations and county residents to begin thinking about what their local community may do to recognize the occasion. The Niagara USA 250 Committee is also asking communities to keep the committee informed as their plans evolve so there can be countywide coordination and cross-promotion.

The Niagara County Legislature created the Niagara USA 250 Committee in June 2023. The twenty-five member group is made up of representatives from historical and cultural organizations, community leaders, tourism officials, educators, elected officials and community volunteers.

“Although the semiquincentennial is two years away, planning needs to begin now, especially as grant money for such celebratory events becomes available,” said Bob Emerson, Executive Director of Old Fort Niagara and chairman of the Niagara USA 250 Committee. “By collaborating across the county, I believe we can put together some tremendous events and create an atmosphere similar to the excitement around the bicentennial in 1976 for those of us old enough to remember.”

Community members are asked to submit their suggestions for activities, celebrations and potential events to [email protected].

“We are working on establishing a website and other communication vehicles to keep the community informed as our planning efforts move forward,” said Emerson. “We also want to serve as a central point so each local municipality is aware of what others are doing.”

To download the full press release please click here.
The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is proud to support the Niagara USA 250 Committee, in planning and implementing a worthy event schedule for the semiquincentennial.

The National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) visited the museum during their ParkHop23 event. Today, they released a video on Youtube of the group riding the museum's 1916 Special Number One Carousel. The museum thanks NAPHA for its continued support and partnership!

The National Amusement Park Historical Association is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, documentation, and enjoyment of the amusement and theme park industry - past, present and future. For more information visit inhttps://www.napha.org/stry - past, present and future. 

Stepout Buffalo has used Instagram to highlight multiple nonprofits in Western New York with volunteer opportunities. These include: Kevin Guest House @kevinguesthouse, Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum @carrouselmuseum, Olmstead Parks Conservancy @bfloparks, The Tool Library @thetoollibrary
and the International Institute Of Buffalo @iibuff.

For more information and to see the amazing video put together by Stepout Buffalo click here, or follow the link below. 
​https://www.instagram.com/stepoutbuffalo/reel/C12XeXvxCoR/

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum was in the news today, as CNYnews.com included the museum in the article "10 of the Most Historic sites to see in Buffalo, NY. The museum joins MECOB (Museum Education Consortium of Buffalo) partners Forrest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, & the Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House on the list. 

​To see who else made the list, click here or visit the link below.

​https://cnynews.com/upstate-new-york-stories-articles/