On July 4, 2026, Carroll County officials are planning to take part in what will undoubtedly be one of the country’s biggest celebrations, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Signed by the nation’s Founding Fathers on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence states the principles on which the country’s government and principals are based. It is the founding document of the United States.
The Board of Carroll County Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution at their meeting Thursday establishing a planning committee to help mark this momentous anniversary.
“The 250th anniversary is coming up in two years and already a lot of planning has been going on to kind of figure out how as a county, as a state, and as a nation will commemorate that,” said Daphne Daly, deputy director of the county’s Department of Planning and Land Management.
The planning committee will be called “Carroll Voices: America 250,” and is intended to advise, promote and help coordinate activities as part of the semi-quincentennial celebration.
“And, to dig a little bit on what it means to celebrate this kind of anniversary,” Daly said. “What does it mean to be Americans, what does democracy look like today, as well as how it as evolved over the last 250 years. And, commemorating some of the very heroic stories that occurred back in 1776.”
The Historical Society of Carroll County will act as the lead coordinator of the local committee and facilitate the management of any personnel, grants, contracts, or any other formal arrangements that may be required to put on the activities.
Joe Thompson, director of Public Services for Carroll County Public Library, is the co-chair of the planning committee. Thompson will work alongside co-chair Ryan Melhorn, supervisor of social studies for Carroll County Public Schools.
“We’re so grateful that the Historical Society of Carroll County offered to coordinate our efforts for the 250,” Thompson said.
Melhorn said the school system is looking at ways to integrate 250 years of the country’s history into the social studies curriculum, so students have a better understanding of what happened and what it means.
Jason Illari, executive director of the historical society, said he was “thrilled” to be partnering with the school system in celebrating America, and how Carroll County fits in.
Meanwhile, District 1 Commissioner Joe Vigliotti questioned how “average” citizens can take part in the planning.
“I just want to make sure this is as community-orientated as possible,” he said. “Not everybody will be able to attend a meeting every month but may want to volunteer to be part of some subcommittee. I want to make sure they have that opportunity.”
Illari said the public will be invited to attend an occasional committee meeting to offer input.
“Definitely, we’ll create that mechanism,” he said. “Even if that means they’re virtual meetings where people can’t attend all the time at the society. We’ll open it up in a community-type forum way.”
District 3 Commissioner Thomas Gordon III said the City of Westminster, which he represents, is looking at ways to participate in the commemoration. He is hopeful other municipalities in the county will do the same.
