Commemorating America 250

A Curated Community Exhibit

Project Overview

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the Museum invites the Lubbock and South Plains community to participate in a special community-driven exhibition.

This community exhibit brings together meaningful objects from local residents alongside items from the Museum’s collections to commemorate America’s 250 anniversary. These objects will help tell the story of how Americans have celebrated independence, remembered history, and expressed the spirit of America across generations.

This exhibition will encompass two approaches:

• Community-Contributed Exhibit — Community members loan objects from their personal collections
• Museum-Curated Exhibit — Museum professionals organize, research, and interpret the exhibition

Community Collecting Days

Community members are invited to bring objects for consideration during designated collecting events.

COLLECTING DAY 1:

Sunday, May 10, 2026
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Memorial Room – Museum at Texas Tech

COLLECTING DAY 2:

Saturday, May 16, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Memorial Room – Museum at Texas Tech

Museum curators will review objects on-site and determine whether they are a good fit for the exhibition. If selected, lenders will be required to complete loan paperwork at that time.

Important:

• Objects can only be reviewed during these two events. Items cannot be accepted outside these designated times.
• You MUST complete the necessary paperwork.

What Types of Objects Are We Looking For?

We are especially interested in objects that reflect past commemorations of American independence and the broader spirit of America, including:

• Objects that are directly related to a past anniversary commemoration (1876 Centennial, 1926 Sesquicentennial, 1976 Bicentennial, off-year).
• Particularly interested in Centennial and Sesquicentennial objects and coins and Bicentennial coin and proof sets
• Objects that depict or come from the American Revolution
• Objects that celebrate the “Spirit of ‘76”, Uncle Sam, the Bald Eagle, or other Americana themes
• Two-dimensional objects such as photographs, sheet music, books, and the like also welcome

What We Cannot Accept

Not all items will be accepted. Final acceptance is at the discretion of Museum curators. Curators will not accept:

• Overtly political objects
• Contemporary America 250 or Semiquincentennial merchandise
• Items created specifically for this exhibition
• Objects left with the expectation the Museum will dispose of them
• Items that do not fit the exhibition theme
• Excess duplicate objects
• Items with condition or preservation concerns

How the Loan Process Works

If your item is selected:

• You will complete a Museum loan form during the event
• Your object will remain on loan during the exhibition
• You will be required to pick up your object after the exhibit closes
• Not all accepted items are guaranteed to be displayed

Items may not be displayed due to:

• Space limitations
• Duplication
• Condition concerns
• Research findings
• Interpretive fit

Share Your Story

Community lenders are invited (but not required) to share stories about their objects, including:

• What the object is
• Where it came from
• Personal memories
• Family history
• Why it matters to you

Curators may include all, some, or none of this information in exhibition labels.

After the Exhibition

• Designated pickup days will be scheduled
• Lenders must retrieve their objects
• In limited cases, curators may ask about potential donations to the Museum’s permanent collection
• Donation requests are separate from the loan process and not guaranteed