The New York Historical Shares Messages of Hope from the Nationwide "On Our 250th" Campaign Ahead of Independence Day

Learn more at TheCityLife.org

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Special programs include in person message posting, July 4th
sing alongs and kid centric events inspired by the current
exhibition Dining in Transit with free admissions for kids 17
and under. With the 250th anniversary of
the United States now only a year away, the New York

(00:20):
Historical is sharing messages of national hope and
encouragement from the digital campaign On Our 250th, which
invites individuals from across the country to post their
personal wishes for America's future.
Launched online by The New York Historical in April 2025 in
partnership with history museumsand historic sites throughout

(00:42):
the United States, On Our 250th has already received messages
from people in 37 states, as well as Washington, DC and US
territories. From July 1st through July 6th,
2025, The Historical will celebrate Independence Day by
putting up a message wall at itsentrance, inviting visitors to

(01:06):
express their birthday wishes for America by writing and
sharing them on sticky notes. It's incredibly moving to see
Americans from all walks of lifesharing their hopes and dreams
for our democracy, said Doctor Louise Murr, president and CEO,
The New York Historical. We feel honored that The New

(01:26):
York Historical can amplify these voices through on our
250th. Our institution was founded by
veterans of the American Revolution and has always held
to the belief that by understanding those who came
before us, we help ensure that democracy endures and thrives
for those to come. That is why it's so important to

(01:47):
create the space where we can together reflect on our visions
for our nation as future. Individuals have voiced a wide
spectrum of birthday wishes for the United States on the
onar250th.org website so far. I wish for equality.
There's so much discrimination that goes on in our country, and

(02:08):
it's really sad. Women, immigrants, black people
and so many other minorities getless opportunities.
The world can never be truly equal, but we could try for it.
Bridget, New Jersey My wish is for the USA to return to its
original vision as a truly Federal Republic, limited to

(02:29):
protecting the natural rights ofcitizens and not helping special
favored classes. The size, cost and scope of the
national government is far too great.
Richard VAI Hope for a more compassionate, generous and
loving America. I envision a country where there
is no vast wealth disparity, no children going hungry or working

(02:54):
people living in their cars. Virginia, North Carolina.
As these online wishes continue and in person posting takes
place in the days leading up to and after Independence Day, the
historical will celebrate with special programs for visitors.
On Friday, July 4th, the museum will be open with free admission

(03:16):
for children aged 17 and under and pay as you wish Admission
for every on from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The Demented Children S History Museum will present 1/2 day of
family friendly activities inspired by the current
exhibition Dining in Transit, which showcases the innovative
ways ocean liners, trains and airplanes cater to passengers,

(03:38):
appetites and expectations during the first half of the
20th century. From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM,
visitors will be able to hand crank ice cream and taste
flavors from the recipes of a Pullman company chef while
munching on historic Saratoga potato chips.
Historical interpreters portraying Pullman porters will

(04:00):
discuss the foods they would have served on the trains.
The Historical will also host July 4th Sing Alongs in the
Barbara K Lippmann Children S History Library at 11:30 AM,
12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM. Beginning in fall 2025, the
Historical will launch a wide-ranging suite of
exhibitions and public programs,beginning with a major

(04:24):
presentation of Revolutionary Era documents from the David M
Rubenstein Americana Collection.Other exhibitions will explore
themes including immigration, the contributions of women to
the American Revolution, and howNew York marked the nation as
bicentennial. In early summer 2026, the New

(04:45):
York Historical will also celebrate the grand opening of
its new Tang Wing for American Democracy.
The Tang Wing for American Democracy.
The Tang Wing for American Democracy, dedicated to
exhibitions and programming on democracy, opens in time for the
nation S 250th anniversary. The Tangling for American

(05:08):
Democracy will house the Academyfor American Democracy, the
Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy, new
gallery spaces and classrooms, Aconservation studio, and the
first home of the American LGBTQPlus Museum.
Opening at a later date. The new wing will also be the

(05:28):
home of the New York Historical S MA in Museum Studies program,
a trailblazing initiative founded in 2019 with the CUNY
School of Professional Studies and a renovated library stacked
storage tower for the Patricia DKlingenstein Library, which
holds more than 10 million items, including rare copies of

(05:49):
our nation S foundational documents About the New York
Historical New York S 1st MuseumThe New York Historical is a
leading cultural institution covering over 400 years of
American history. Are offering spend
groundbreaking exhibitions, peerless collections of art,

(06:10):
documents and artifacts, acclaimed educational programs
for teachers and students nationwide, and thought
provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists,
and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the
American experiment. The New York Historical is a
Museum of museums and a collection of collections.

(06:33):
We are home to the Patricia D Klingenstein Library, the Center
for Women S History, the Demented Children S History
Museum, and the Future American LGBTQ Plus Museum.
We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the
United States democratic heritage and challenge us all to
shape our ongoing history for the better.

(06:55):
Connect with us at newyorkhistory.org or at Adney
History on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and
Tumblr.