Q&A: USA @250 & why historical tourism is expected to increase

Digital Journal: How is America planning for its semiquincentennial birthday in 2026?

Edward Harris: Planning for the anniversary started all the way back in 2016. There are already several websites dedicated to it, including the all-encompassing America250 and Virgina’s own VA250, all with information about how people can participate, plan and even donate to their local efforts to celebrate this momentous occasion.

DJ: Are you seeing an increased interest in historical themed destinations?

Harris: Absolutely! For example, a recent news article highlighted several destinations related to the American Revolution that are often overlooked, like the site of Nathan Hale’s execution in Manhattan and the French Cemetery here in Yorktown. But it’s not just here in the U.S. It feels like the whole world is ready to celebrate. Just a few weeks ago, Ireland got into the action when Hillsborough Castle launched its “American History Tour,” honoring the connections between the USA, UK, and Ireland – reminding us that the creation of America was a global event that changed the course of history

DJ: What role does Williamsburg play in Virginia’s statewide planning process?

Harris: Williamsburg as a region, which includes the historically formative destinations of Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, is playing a central role in the state’s planning process. That is why VA250 and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation are hosting the nation’s annual planning meetings here. This year, we had 450 representatives from 37 states and Washington D.C. in town to participate in the conference, titled, “A Common Cause to All.”

DJ: What plans do you have in Williamsburg to celebrate the big milestone?

Harris: First, I’d like to add that 2026 is not only America’s 250^th birthday, but it is also the 100^th anniversary of Colonial Williamsburg – and the team has been working hard for several years to get ready, from moving the Williamsburg Bray School from the campus of William & Mary to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, to the renovation of the historic Charleston Stage. It’s all part of the lead-up to the big day.

Throughout the next two years, you will see many capital renovations throughout the region as well as a new sports facility, archeology center, and The Shoe — a 9-hole golf course in Colonial Williamsburg — which promise to enhance the destination’s appeal.

DJ: What big milestones are happening between now and July 2026 that people should not miss in Williamsburg?

Harris: The next two years are filled with 250-year milestones, as the colonists were gearing up for or in the midst of war. Examples include the anniversary of the Yorktown Tea Party, which took place November 7, 1774, and the April 21 anniversary of the 1775 “gunpowder incident,” which will be commemorated with the grand reopening of The Magazine – the ammunition storehouse in the center of Williamsburg.

DJ: Apart from your own region of Williamsburg, what other destinations do you anticipate getting a lot of visitors over the next few years?

Harris: There are many regions across the 13 colonies that offer a rich historical tapestry that can’t be understated, and many of them will have important milestone anniversaries. For example, in March 2025, you have Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech at Richmond’s St. John’s Church. And you can’t forget Concord, Massachusetts, where the Revolutionary War started with the “shot heard ‘round the world” on April 19, 1775.

There are so many places to visit and commemorate the birth of our nation. I hope everyone in this great nation is able to add an American history destination trip to their travel agendas over the next two years.