Join the Celebration!
Ohio is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States throughout 2026 with events and experiences across all 88 counties. We're proud to be commemorating this big year with some spectacular celebrations at the Museum of Fulton County. Check out the new exhibit and events planned as part of the 250th anniversary!
NEW EXHIBIT - Thirteen Moons in 1776 –
Life along Turkeyfoot Creek
As part of the America 250-Ohio celebration, a spectacular exhibit is now open at the Museum of Fulton County. “Thirteen Moons in 1776 – Life along Turkeyfoot Creek,” features life throughout one year in the land we now call Fulton County.
As visitors explore the new exhibit they will travel through one year (13 lunar months), during the year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A fictional fur trader and his wife will explain the change of seasons, the monthly lives of an Odawa village and their winter journey up the Turkeyfoot Creek, and facts about the year’s thirteen moons.
The three-dimensional, historical fiction exhibit will be laid out in 13 equal sections that, from above, resemble the back of a turtle (the Anishinaabe name for North America is Turtle Island). A timeline of colonial American events during the Revolutionary War will also run throughout the exhibit.
“Our new exhibit will focus on a fictional, French speaking fur trader, based on the real person, St. Vincent from the Captain Thomas Morris’ 1764 journal, who is married to an Odawa Chief's (Chief of the Wolf Rapids Band at Kin-jo-no, now Providence, OH) daughter,” shared John Swearingen, Jr., director of the Museum of Fulton County. “Guests will learn about their summer home near the mouth of what is now the North Turkeyfoot Creek in Henry County and how they traveled north to “The Six Mile Wood” during hunting and syrup harvesting season. They would have also travelled on the “Rice Road” (now County Road RS) through what is now Fulton County during the rice harvest season.”
Partially sponsored by America 250-Ohio, the new exhibit will feature a variety of unique artifacts including a large collection of items once given to the museum's founder, Colonel Dresden Winfield Huston Howard by his Native American friends. The exhibit will also include artifacts used during the Revolutionary War, and fun family-centered interactives related to the history of Nouvelle France (New France) fur trading that occurred in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana in 1776. French-American heritage thrived in northwest Ohio from the late 1690s through the 1830s.
“We recognize and honor the Algonquin Anishinaabeg as the original stewards of the land where the Museum of Fulton County now stands,” Swearingen added. “This traditional territory, which was never ceded, continues to hold great historical, spiritual, and sacred significance for the Algonquin people, whose enduring presence we respect.
The "Thirteen Moons in 1776: Life along Turkeyfoot Creek" exhibit is funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Commission. This new exhibit will be open throughout 2026 and admission to the exhibit is included with a general admission ticket to the museum.
Fourth Grade History Pass
America 250-Ohio, announced the launch of the 4th Grade History Pass Plus, an expanded version of the commission’s popular 4th Grade History Pass program. Available exclusively throughout the month of July 2026, the 4th Grade History Pass Plus allows Ohio’s current fourth grade students and up to three accompanying family members to visit participating history museums and historic sites across the state entirely free of charge.
The 4th Grade History Pass, launched by America 250-Ohio in February 2024, has connected thousands of Ohio fourth graders with the state’s rich history by providing free general admission to participating history-related museums and sites when accompanied by a paying adult. The new Plus program takes that mission a step further — making July 2026, the heart of America’s 250th anniversary summer, a moment for entire families to explore Ohio’s history together at no cost.
Through the 4th Grade History Pass Plus, students who have completed fourth grade in the 2025–2026 school year may visit any of the approximately 41 participating sites throughout the month of July, bringing up to three family members with them for free.
The program is designed to be easy to access — passes are available to download digitally or print from America250-Ohio.org/fourth-grade-pass, and a separate 4th Grade History Pass Plus pass will be created to make it clear to both participants and sites which program applies. A full list of participating locations is available on the website.
July 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and America 250-Ohio has designed the month to be filled with opportunities for Ohioans of all ages to engage with history, community and celebration. The 4th Grade History Pass Plus is one of several programs timed to make July a landmark month for Ohio families.
Families can learn more about the 4th Grade History Pass Plus, download or print their pass, and find a full list of participating sites and locations by visiting America250-Ohio.org/fourth-grade-pass.
Pass Restrictions: The 4th Grade History Pass Plus is valid for free general admission for one fourth grade student and up to three accompanying family members. The pass must be presented at the time of visit, either as a digital version on a smartphone or a printed version. The program applies to students who completed fourth grade in the 2025–2026 school year. The 4th Grade History Pass Plus is valid July 1–31, 2026, only, at participating sites. The pass is not valid for field trips or group visits. Other restrictions may apply.
Barney Oldfield Day
Date: Saturday, June 20
Times: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at Museum. Barney Oldfield Race at 7:00 pm
Admission: FREE EVENT at Museum (fee for race at Oakshade Raceway)
Location: Museum of Fulton County and Oakshade Raceway
Barney Oldfield was a pioneer automobile racer whose name was synonymous with speed! Join us for a spectacular celebration of this racecar legend, presented by the Fulton County Visitor’s Bureau, Museum of Fulton County, Wauseon Cruise Night Committee, Ohio America 250 Commission, and the Oak shade Raceway. Check out all the great activities planned for this special day:
PINEWOOD DERBY - For children of all ages, two FREE Pinewood Derby Races will be held inside the lobby. 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. will be for Kindergarten through 5th Grade (using Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby rules). A second race for ages 11 - 100 years old (using their old cars from childhood) will be at 2:00 p.m. Trophies, medals and participation pins will be awarded.
REFRESHMENTS - Barney Oldfield’s turn-of-the-century Los Angeles, Oldfield and Kipper Saloon & Cafe will be recreated in the museum lobby will be selling coffee and doughnuts beginning at 9:00 am and selling lunch menu items from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mocktails and other non-alcoholic turn-of-the-century drinks will be available at the saloon.
MOVIES - An official “Ohio Goes to the Movies” Barney Oldfield FREE Film Festival will be in the Emergency Operations Center at the museum. Screenings will be at 10:00 a.m. (Race for a Life)., 10:30 a.m (The Speed Kings)., 11:00 a.m. (Young Oldfield), 11:30 a.m. (Speed Demon), 12:30 p.m. (The First Auto), and 2:00 p.m. (Blond Comet).
AMAZING ARTIFACTS - At 12:00 pm in the Emergency Operation Center, Rusty Schlink, the last winner of the Barney Oldfield Oakshade Raceway Race, will unveil the museum's newly acquired helmet worn by Barney Oldfield in the Corona Road Race, September 1913.
CAR SHOW - A car show in front of the museum will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and some of the evening’s Barney Oldfield Oakshade Racecar entries will also be on display. 50/50 fundraising raffles will be held as well.
FUN FOR KIDS! - A "Duck Race" will be held in front of the museum throughout the day with prizes for small children.
WIN PRIZES! - A Yellowstone Trail Sociability Cruise (Pit Passes available now at the museum and all county libraries) is being hosted at multiple business and tourism locations, each of which has a pit pass stamp to prove that cruisers have been there. Visitors will turn in their pit passes at the museum before noon on June 20 for the first prize drawing.
DIRT TRACK RACING - After the museum closes at 4:00 p.m. guests are invited to travel up State Route 108 where Oakshade Raceway will be open for dinner and the Oldfield Race at 7:00pm
America’s Potluck
Date: Sunday, July 5
Time: Serving at Noon
Cost: FREE Admission (bring dish to pass and seating for potluck)
Location: Museum of Fulton County
America’s Potluck is an opportunity for neighbors to join one another to share a communal meal, creating a sense of connection and belonging. Save the date and plan to bring a dish to pass and seating for this potluck event at the museum. As part of the celebration, the Northwest Territory Chapter 37 of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will present a program that will include the reading of the Declaration of Independence by soldiers (descendants of Revolutionary War soldiers) in period costume, recognition of the five Revolutionary War veterans buried in Fulton County, and the dedication of their America 250 Anniversary tree planted in Fulton County.
America-250 - Fulton County Heritage Trail
To help celebrate America 250, we at the Museum of Fulton County want you to experience all the wonders of our County. The original Fulton County Heritage Trail has 50 locations (We will be adding more locations to the Heritage Trail soon - stay tuned for more details!) We are challenging you to visit as many of these locations as possible. See Heritage Trail Map below with locations or click here for a printable PDF of Heritage Trail locations! Good luck and have fun!