The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. As the library celebrates this anniversary, we are not only recognizing this important semi quincentennial of the founding of the United States of America but also exploring topics of freedom and democracy that are part of our shared American history. Throughout this year, the Library has organized a wide variety of programs and activities to commemorate this important celebration. In addition to our scheduled programming, recommended reading lists and watch lists have also been added to our America 250 webpage.
Cow Neck in the Revolution, a new local history exhibit, is on display in the History Center Annex from June through December 2026. Featuring objects and artifacts from both the archives of The History Center at the Port Washington Public Library and the collections of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society, the exhibit explores what life was like here in Revolutionary-era Port Washington and highlights three local families who were involved in the war.
America 250th Booklist
Upcoming America 250 Events
Cow Neck in the Revolution
The area we now call Port Washington was occupied by the British for seven years during the Revolutionary War. Local families suffered immense hardship: they were forced to quarter enemy troops, had their children pressed into service, and even endured pirate attacks. Some Cow Neck Patriots bravely fought for American freedom while others assisted the revolutionary cause in secret – and some yet remained loyal to the Crown. These stories are explored in Cow Neck in the Revolution, presented in collaboration with the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society in celebration of 250 years of American independence. On display in the History Center Annex June through December 2026.
12:00am - 12:00am View Details
Revolutionary Reads Sponsored by the Ruth D. Bogen Memorial Fund
Join fellow readers at the library for an engaging discussion of Liberty’s Exiles: American Loyalists in the Revolutionary World by Maya Jasanoff on Tuesday June 2nd at 1:30 pm.
This surprising account of the founding of the United States and the shaping of the post-revolutionary world traces extraordinary journeys like the one of Elizabeth Johnston, a young mother from Georgia, who led her growing family to Britain, Jamaica, and Canada, questing for a home; black loyalists such as David George, who escaped from slavery in Virginia and went on to found Baptist congregations in Nova Scotia and Sierra Leone; and Mohawk Indian leader Joseph Brant, who tried to find autonomy for his people in Ontario.
Ambitious, original, and personality-filled, this book is at once an intimate narrative history and a provocative analysis that changes how we see the revolution’s “losers” and their legacies.
Copies will be available at the Information Desk or on Libby.
1:30pm - 3:30pm View Details
Sandwiched In with Janis Schachter - Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
How has our interpretation of the words of the Declaration of Independence changed over time? What do they say about our identity as Americans? Who IS an American? And who is a person, entitled to the natural rights outlined in our founding document? Join Janis Schachter, a former journalist-turned social studies teacher as she explores these questions and the founding principles of our nation. Ms. Schachter was the New York State Council for Social Studies distinguished educator in 2020, and in 2021 was named a silver laureate by the international organization Global Youth and News Media for her work in news literacy.
This program is part of the Library's celebration of America 250.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a 'hybrid' event that can be attended either "In-Person" or "Online" on the Zoom platform. You can choose which option you wish to register for below in the "Attend In-Person" OR "Attend Online" choices below.
12:00pm - 1:30pm View Details
Cow Neck in the Revolution Exhibit Reception
Reception for Cow Neck in the Revolution, currently on view in the History Center Annex.
The area we now call Port Washington was occupied by the British for seven years during the Revolutionary War. Local families suffered immense hardship: they were forced to quarter enemy troops, had their children pressed into service, and even endured pirate attacks. Some Cow Neck Patriots bravely fought for American freedom while others assisted the revolutionary cause in secret – and some yet remained loyal to the Crown. These stories are explored in Cow Neck in the Revolution, presented in collaboration with the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society in celebration of 250 years of American independence.
3:00pm - 4:30pm View Details