2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American independence! The Mary S. Biesecker Public Library is joining this year-round celebration with a collection of special library programs, funded by a Flex Fund grant from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies! This page provides an overview of the special programming we’ve planned for 2026. Our current programming includes:

Essay Contest: What America Means to Me

The Mary S. Biesecker Public Library is sponsoring an essay contest for local students and teens grades 7-12. Students can write an essay of 500 words or less on the topic “What Does America Mean to You?” Winners in each age group (Grades 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12) will receive a $50 prize. All submissions must be submitted either in person or online (by emailing the library at info(at)maryslibrary.com) by April 30th to be eligible.

Spring History Speakers Series:

This spring, the Library will host three special speakers who will lecture on early American history in Somerset County and Western Pennsylvania. These lectures will be free and open to the public.

March 26th – Jeff Clevenger on the French and Indian War;
April 30th – Denise Cummins and Maria Platt from The Bradford House on the Whiskey Rebellion;
May 28th – Stewart Saylor and Bill Lehman from the Sons of the American Revolution.

Sign up in person, over the phone (814-445-4011) or using our online form. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for more information on these and upcoming speakers.

Stay tuned to this page for more programming information as the celebration continues!

Oral History Project:

Do you have a story about Somerset history to share. Starting this spring, the Biesecker Library will begin our Somerset Oral History Project as part of the 2026 celebrations. Residents of Somerset can join us for an informal Q&A session with one of our librarians, to record your memories of growing up and living in Somerset. What questions would you like to answer? Or, what would you like to learn about Somerset and its history? Keep an eye on our website and social media for more information about the program, how you can take part and share or suggest what subjects we should cover! 

More information:

America 250 – National Organization
America PA 250 – State Organization
America’s County 25-250 – County Organization (including 9/11’s 25th anniversary)
Mt. Vernon’s 250 Years Ago On This Day
Community Foundation for the Alleghenies