In 2026, the United States is celebrating its 250th birthday. Across the country and across Ohio, celebrations and special events are taking place. The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums — the estate, home, library, museum and burial site of the 19th U.S. president and first lady — is the perfect place to celebrate America's rich history.
Here are the offerings Hayes Presidential has planned for America 250. This list will be updated as more events are added.
Special exhibit: “Welcome to the World’s Fair: Philadelphia 1876”
Friday, March 27, 2026 - Wednesday, June 30, 2027
When a handful of colonists declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776, no one was certain how their democratic experiment would fare. In 1876, one hundred years later, the growing United States celebrated the success of that experiment in grand fashion. The Philadelphia Centennial Exposition was a world’s fair that demonstrated the young American republic’s innovations in science, agriculture, industry and the arts. The 6-month long event attracted prominent speakers from across the country, including the Republican candidate for president, Rutherford B. Hayes.
With the United States poised to celebrate 250 years of the American experiment, the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums will remember the 150th anniversary of the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition with a year-long exhibit opening March 27, 2026. The exhibit will share the history of the exposition, discuss its impact on American culture and society, and display artifacts from the exposition. Accompanying the Centennial exhibit, the museum will also feature a gallery of artifacts from its collection from the American Revolution in homage to 250 years of American independence. This exhibit will be on display through Wednesday, June 30, 2027.
Independence Day Concert and America 250 Picnic and Events
July 4, 2026 • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
On July 4, 2025, America turns 250, and the site of America’s first presidential library is the perfect place to celebrate. Enjoy a day of nostalgic fun, an old-fashioned picnic and a patriotic concert by a band featuring members of the Toledo Symphony at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
Bring a picnic or purchase food on-site at Spiegel Grove, the 25-acre wooded estate of 19th U.S. President Rutherford and First Lady Lucy Hayes. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy games from days past, kids’ activities, curator talks about American history and speakers giving historic speeches.
The event will culminate with the annual Independence Day Concert, performed by the Toledo Concert Band from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the verandah of the Historic Hayes Home. The concert band features members of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Bring a chair or blanket for seating on the spacious Hayes Home lawn. Admission to the picnic, games, talks and concert is free.
The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and paid tours of the historic Hayes Home will be offered throughout the day. Discounted admission to the home and museum will be available.
The updated schedule will be posted here.
Special exhibit: 'Warrior Dogs & Faithful Companions'
Oct. 1 - 31, 2026
This exhibit showcases Ohio artist James Mellick’s signature wood forms Armed Forces canines. Each dog represents a different military campaign, as well as the injuries that their human counterparts endure. Mellick created the installation to raise awareness of the sacrifices made by veterans and their needs now. The nine canine sculptures are both humbling and healing, representing a special bond between the soldiers and canines. To this end, the display of these sculptures is for the purpose of:
- Opening dialogue and encouraging psychological healing for veterans and families
- Calling attention to the ongoing needs of physically and psychologically wounded veterans through our bond and connection with our faithful canine companions
- Bringing attention to the service and heroism of the military working dog
The beauty and craftsmanship of the exhibition is not intended to ignore the intensity or suffering of war. Mellick’s intent is to emphasize the nobility of those who sacrificed life, limb and spirit in service to their country.
James Mellick’s career as an artist has been divided between the art market and the university. In 1973, he earned his master of fine arts degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a major in painting, a minor in sculpture and extensive work in printmaking.
Access to this exhibit is included with regular admission. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums members are admitted for free. For hours and admission, visit rbhayes.org.
Special exhibit: 'Eyes of Freedom'
Saturday, Oct. 3 - Monday, Oct. 5, 2026
Special outdoor exhibit, 'Eyes of Freedom,' a traveling memorial dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of all who answer our nation’s call will be on display at Spiegel Grove, the grounds of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. The exhibit is comprised of nine panels and the Silent Battle bronze sculpture. There is no charge to view this exhibit.
During spring 2005, “L”-Co. or Lima Company was deployed to Iraq. Twenty-two Marines and one Navy Corpsman were killed in action between May and August of that year. The news of their losses prompted spontaneous expressions of compassion for the families of the fallen and the surviving Marines.
Anita Miller, a Columbus artist who had no prior connection to the Marines describes her experience…“I awoke in the middle of the night with a start and hovering in front of me I saw life-sized paintings, displayed in a circle. People were milling around them leaving messages of love in the boots at the base of the portraits. Suddenly, the people disappeared, and a small crew of workers came in and dismantled the paintings as if they were moving it to a new location. I knew it was a traveling tribute to the fallen of Lima Company and I felt somehow, I was being asked to create it.”
Two and a half years later, after meeting and working with the families of the fallen, The Lima Company Memorial was unveiled in the Ohio Statehouse and was displayed before it began touring the country. To date, this exhibition has been displayed in 34 states and more than 360 events.