Governor Hochul Forms New York State 250th American Revolution Commemoration Commission

Commission to Recognize 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence in 2026

Co-Chaired by Commissioners of the New York State Department of Education and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

First Meeting to Convene on Wednesday, May 15

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the formation of the New York State 250th Commemoration Commission to recognize the anniversary of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The first meeting of the Commission will convene from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15 at the Huxley Theater in the New York State Museum in Albany.

“New York State played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, and we look forward to welcoming people from all over the world to join us in commemorating the 250th anniversary in 2026,” Governor Hochul said. “The commemoration will not only celebrate the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence, but will also emphasize New York’s ongoing effort to achieve our nation’s founding principles of representative democracy with equal participation and rights for all.”

Randy Simons, Commissioner Pro Tempore of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Dr. Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner of Education, will co-chair the Commission. In its first year, the Commission will advise on the development of a multifaceted commemoration to support New York’s heritage organizations to plan and support programming and exhibits, coordinate New York State learning standards; encourage and promote heritage tourism; advance scholarship surrounding the history and values of the American Revolution; and ignite public interest in the history of New York State and the United States.

The commemoration will extend beyond the period of American Revolution and the formation of the United States to ongoing efforts to reach the goals expressed by the nation’s founders. New York has been a significant force in those movements, including such iconic, historic stories as serving as the routes for the Underground Railroad, the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, the labor movement, and the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

The May 15 meeting will be open to the public. The Commission will meet quarterly. For more information and a livestream of the meeting, visit Revolutionary NY 250 | The New York State Museum (nysed.gov).

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit  parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and the OPRHP Blog.