Tompkins County announced its America 250 grant awards to support community celebrations, according to a statement from the county.
The funding is part of a $15,000 grant awarded to Tompkins County through New York State’s America 250 initiative, which supports local efforts to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial this year.
The county legislature approved the funding allocations following recommendations from a stakeholder group convened by the county administration. The group included representatives from the Tompkins County Historian’s Office, the Tompkins County Tourism Program, The History Center, Visit Ithaca, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, the Community Arts Partnership, Tompkins County Public Library, Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins County Veterans Services.
“The America 250 commemoration provides an opportunity for communities across Tompkins County to reflect on the nation’s shared history while celebrating the people, cultures, and stories that continue to shape our community today,” Tompkins County Administrator Korsah Akumfi said in a statement.
“These projects represent a wide range of perspectives and experiences and will help ensure residents throughout the county can participate in meaningful local celebrations.”
What are the projects?
Three rural community celebrations received about $4,000 infunding, in addition to Tourism Grant Program funds, according to the statement.
The recipients and event organizers are the Freeville Fire Department, the Lansing Historical Association (in collaboration with the Town of Lansing and the Lansing Events Committee), and the Brooktondale Community Center (in collaboration with the Town of Caroline Historian and the Caroline History Association).
The Tompkins County Historical Commission received about $3,000 for the “White Pine of Peace” project, which will include the planting of an Eastern White Pine tree in Stewart Park in Ithaca in autumn.
The project will also include an interpretive plaque and an honorarium for the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ people to participate in the dedication ceremony. The Tompkins County historian will administer and distribute funding for the project.
Visit Ithaca received $8,000 to coordinate and promote America 250 activities across Tompkins County, according to the statement.
The initiative will include creating a dedicated America 250 website landing page, expanding event promotion through social media and local media outreach, and producing video assets to highlight celebrations and heritage tourism opportunities throughout the county.
As the official tourism promotion agency for Tompkins County, Visit Ithaca will launch its dedicated America 250 webpage visitithaca.com/america250 on June 1, according to the statement.
Community organizations, municipalities, nonprofits, businesses, and event organizers are encouraged to submit public eventss to be included in the centralized calendar. Select America 250 as event category.
How were the winners chosen?
The stakeholder group reviewed applications submitted through the county’s Tourism Grant Program, considered a proposal from the Tompkins County Historical Commission, and discussed the importance of ensuring all events and activities are promoted through a centralized platform accessible to residents and visitors.
Visit Ithaca partners directly with I Love NY to promote eligible local events and activities on the statewide America 250 and Path Through History platforms.
Additional details about America 250 activities and promotional opportunities in Tompkins County will be announced throughout 2026.
This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Here are the Tompkins County projects funded for America 250
Reporting by Ithaca Journal / Ithaca Journal
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