Don’t look now, but there are major milestones, significant birthdays and special anniversaries dotting the calendar in 2026.
First is America 250, the 250-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Congress established the America 250 Commission in 2016 to celebrate and commemorate the historic accomplishment.
Special events, programs, concerts, works of art and volunteer initiatives are just a handful of the activities that are in the works to mark the United States’ Semiquincentennial.
This is a milestone year for Steuben County as well. The county is nearly as old as the nation. It was founded just two decades after the Declaration − on March 8, 1796 − making it 230 years old in 2026.
Looking to promote both anniversaries, Steuben County Historian Griffin Bates launched a Steuben County-America 250 Facebook group in January.
Bates envisions the site as a hub for information about America 250 events and activities, as well as a place to post details on celebrations tied to Steuben’s 230th birthday. The group already has nearly 250 members.
The USA TODAY Network, including The Evening Tribune and Corning Leader, will also have special America 250 stories throughout the year.
Steuben County 230 will feature a history fair in October
A signature event in Steuben County’s celebration will be a weekend history fair in October. Bates said the gathering is planned for Bath, although details and dates have not yet been announced.
The history fair will bring the county’s historical groups together for two days. The focus will be on learning, using guidelines from the America 250 Commission for the activities and teaching tools.
Bates said he is in the early stage of forming a Steuben County 230 Committee to spearhead other events and activities tied to the anniversary. He said while the Historian’s Office is playing an important role in the 230th anniversary, there are opportunities for others to get involved by sharing ideas and organizing events.
“My goal is to make this a truly public-connected celebration where members of the public can help contribute,” he said.
Hornby turns 200 years old in 2026
The eastern Steuben County town of Hornby is 200 years old this year.
Formed from a portion of Painted Post, Hornby was officially established on Jan. 27, 1826, according to “Steuben County Town Histories.”
The Hornby Historical Society is selling 2026 calendars to mark the occasion.
The town’s present day population is 1,682, according to the 2020 Census. That’s not much different than its founding, with the 1830 Census documenting 1,572 residents in the town.
Milestone years inspired arcs, halls of fame and museums
Milestone years often lead to a renewed interest in history and preservation.
To celebrate Steuben County’s bicentennial in 1996, historians Dick Shear and John Ormsby built a replica arc like the kind that transported lumber and other goods from the county to the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore.
America’s bicentennial in 1976 was a launch point for many groups and organizations
“Everyone was celebrating history and they wanted to make big community celebrations. And one of the ways was by creating new groups, new museums and new historical societies,” Bates said.
The Steuben County Hall of Fame was created specifically under the auspices of the American Bicentennial Commission in 1976. In 2026, the Hall marks 50 years of recognizing a dense list of people from Steuben County who made their mark in their communities.
Other organizations celebrating milestones include Corning Inc. with its 175th anniversary, Corning’s historic Rockwell Museum with its 50th birthday and the Corning Museum of Glass, which turns 75 this year.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Steuben County turns 230 as America 250 takes centerstage. What’s planned
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
