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
This spring, the Mary S. Biesecker Public Library sponsored an essay contest for local students and teens grades 7-12. Participating students submitted 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. Check out our essay winners page for more!
Spring History Speakers Series (March-May)
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!
Colonial Games and Crafts (July and August)
Help the Biesecker Library celebrate America with special Colonial Games and Crafts! Kids up to age 12 can join us on July 2-3 at 10:00 am and August 3-6 at 11:00 am for a fun event featuring activities from colonial America. Kids, teens and their caretakers can learn how to play graces, jacks, quoits, jackstraws, marbles, noughts and crosses, try out some colonial tongue twisters, learn stencil painting and tinsmithing and create a hornbook! The event is FREE and no registration is required! This activity is funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies, a PPA partner.
August Painting Party (August 3-4)
On Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, August 4 at 6:00 pm, the Biesecker Library will host a Painting Party! Join instructor Terrie Yacko for a fun class that will teach you the art of painting. Ages 12 and up are invited to join us. Admission is $10 at the time of registration, with part of the proceeds going to the library. Space is limited to 20 per session, so be sure to sign up online, in person or call the Library at 814-445-4011 as soon as possible. If we exceed 20 sign ups, anyone extra will be put on a wait list.
This program is funded in part by a Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Creative Sector Flex Fund grant. Sign up online today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYziuFfa6zeSA1lau3Lf6GqvxxtnafY4U3MhGqeHs_78J_LA/viewform?usp=preview
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? Use our online sign up form to schedule your interview today!
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