America 250 Ohio - Stark County Stories

Jun 06, 2024

The United States will be celebrating it’s semiquincentennial (that’s 250 years) in 2026 and Ohio is all-in to celebrate “Ohio Style.” Over the next two years, there will be highlights of Ohio and Ohioans’ unique contribution to the U.S. for the past 250+ years.

Find more information about locations and special events to celebrate and commemorate Stark County's stories over the past 250 years. Check out a list of places in Stark County hosting special events, exhibits, and programs as we grow closer to July 4, 2026.

What is America 250 - OH

What is America 250- OH?

To plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.

When are the celebrations taking place?

There will be hundreds of special events, programs, exhibits, public art installations, and more between 2024-2026 in Stark County and Ohio to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence!

Ohio Air & Space Trail

Explore Ohio’s Rich Aviation and Aerospace History

Follow in the footsteps (or flight paths) of pioneer aviators, innovators, and explorers who helped the world take flight. Explore more than 30 museums and historic sites to learn more about Ohio’s contribution to aviation and aerospace.

Find out more about the Ohio Air & Space Trail and plan your visit to locations in America's Playing Field.

America's Playing Field Aviation and Aerospace Trail Locations

  • MAPS Air Museum - You will take a step back in time in this impressive museum, which is located inside an airport hangar on the runways for the Akron-Canton Airport. The Museum has acquired a broad collection of aircraft from both private individuals and government collections. In addition, there are over 60 displays covering the Civil War through the Gulf War that will spotlight heroes who made aviation history.
  • Wingfoot Lake State Park - Wingfoot Lake State Park is where the story of the blimp begins. In 1916, Goodyear purchased 720 acres to manufacture blimps. Wingfoot Lake, named in honor of Goodyear’s corporate logo, provided the crucial water supply for the operation. A hangar was constructed on the south shore of the lake, along with workshops, a hydrogen plant, and a landing field. Goodyear contracted with the U.S. Navy in 1917 to build nine blimps at the Wingfoot plant, which proved highly useful during World War I for reconnaissance missions. The land was purchased by ODNR as a state park in 2009 and is open for all to enjoy. Look across the lake and you may see a blimp outside its hangar.
  • Akron History Center - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has contributed to aviation and space exploration for more than a century. In 1909, the company developed the first inflated aircraft tire, replacing runners and bicycle tires on pioneer airplanes like the Wright flyer. By World War I, Akron was the center of lighter-than-air construction in the nation, making airships and military balloons. View a working model of the Goodyear Airdock, the largest structure in the world without interior supports. During World War II, Goodyear manufactured 104 airships. Goodyear blimps remain a familiar sight to many with appearances at nationally-televised events. Akron’s Goodyear tires were the first on the moon, and the company continues to research and manufacture items for space. In addition to exploring stories of Akron’s contributions to flight and the auto industry, the Akron History Center honors Akron's Judith Resnik, the second female astronaut in the United States and only the fourth woman in space globally. Resnik was onboard the Space Shuttle Challenger when it met with tragedy on Jan. 28, 1986.

Complementary History & Heritage Experiences

  • William McKinley Presidential Library Museum - The McKinley Museum is dedicated to collecting and preserving the significant materials and records related to the life of our nation’s 25th President, from his birth to tragic death at the hands of an assassin. In addition to the McKinley Gallery the museum chronicles 200 years of local history in The Stark County Story exhibit, provides a stroll through a life-size replica historic town in the Street of Shoppes, and also offers hands-on science exhibits and planetarium in Discover World. Just outside the museum is the towering McKinley Memorial, final resting place to William McKinley and his family. Walk up the 108-steps of this towering monument for spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding Canton landscape.
  • St. Helena III Canal Boat - The St. Helena III canal boat is pulled by two Percheron horses and departs from the Port of Canal Fulton in St. Helena Heritage Park for a one-hour ride down the Ohio & Erie Canal. A historian on board provides information on the history of the canal, the boat, and the area.
  • Canton Classic Car Museum - On display, see forty rare and unusual classic and special interest automobiles. The gorgeous vehicles are complemented by the thousands of pieces of historical memorabilia displayed throughout the museum from vintage signs and advertisements to political memorabilia.
  • Massillon Museum - Massillon Museum galleries are filled with innovative exhibitions—sometimes art, sometimes history. While a 1907-08 Massillon-manufactured Jewel automobile is nearly always on display, the photography gallery changes regularly, sometimes featuring contemporary artists, sometimes displaying a themed selection from the Museum's collection of 70,000 images. The Paul Brown Museum gallery and The Immel Circus—a 100-square-foot hand-carved miniature circus lot surrounded by historic circus posters, photographs, and costumes—are always on display. A visit to the Massillon Museum is always free!
  • Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market - Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market is a shopping experience you have to see to believe. The MarketPlace is a pristine two-story building, heated and air conditioned, with more than 60 individually owned shops featuring a variety of unique treasures and goods from antiques to the latest clothing trends, delicious goodies and food, indoor or outdoor decor, collectibles, toys, jewelry, health and beauty, and much more!

Fourth Grade History Pass - Participating Attractions in America's Playing Field

The America 250-Ohio Commission and history-related museums and sites recently introduced the new 4th Grade History Pass – a special program that allows Ohio 4th grade students with the chance to attend participating history museums and historic sites free of charge, with a paid adult. Any Ohio 4th grade student for the 2023-2024 school year can take advantage of the pass.

Find out more about and download your pass today by visiting the America 250 Ohio Fourth Grade Pass Landing Page.

Upcoming Special Events & Exhibits

Allison Gromofsky

Author

Allison Gromofsky

Allison Gromofsky is the Community Promotions Manager for Visit Canton. She enjoys shopping, spending time with friends, family, going to concerts, and watching football! Allison can be found trying new restaurants, exploring museums, and hanging out at Canton First Fridays. Allison is a Stark County native and loves to work, play, and live in Canton, with her husband, Andy. Have an update or comment about the blog? Reach out at allisong@visitcanton.com
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