Washington, D.C. –America250, the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, led by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, is pleased to introduce the Commission Representatives, Ex-Officio Commission Representatives, and Honorary Institutional Members serving on its 11 Advisory Councils. Advisory Councils are designed to increase inclusiveness, expand America250’s capacity and connection to partners and stakeholders, and facilitate program development, implementation, and social impact. Commission Representatives help center Advisory Councils around the purpose of the commemoration: to catalyze a more perfect union. Each representative’s service embodies the themes of the commemoration: to invite, involve, and inspire every American to imagine, activate, and unleash the American spirit. Our goal is for our descendants to look back on us 250 years from now and see the effects that we made on the course of our nation at this critical moment in our history.

“From health and wellness, to sports, arts, and innovation and science, our Advisory Councils will play a critical role in inspiring and engaging Americans from every facet of American culture,” said Frank Giordano, Executive Director, U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. “Commission representatives and Ex-Officio members offer both private citizen and federal agency perspectives that will greatly enrich the efforts of America250.”  

“As our Advisory Councils begin to make America250 our most inclusive commemoration yet, we are grateful for our Ex-Officio and Commissioner representatives who are dedicating even more of their time and efforts into planning for the 250th,” said Dr. Carleen Carey, Director of Public Outreach and Inclusion at America250. “I am confident their insights and experience will be tremendously impactful across disciplines.”

The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical body that was appointed by the House and Senate leadership of both parties after Congress unanimously passed the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act in 2016. Today, this official Commission of the U.S. Government is composed of 16 private citizens, four U.S. Representatives and four Senators, along with 12 Ex-Officio members representing all three branches of Government as well as other quasi-governmental and independent Federal agencies. 

“I am honored to serve as both a member of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and a member of three Advisory Councils,” said Lynn Forney Young, Honorary President General, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and member of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. “It is a great privilege to share my experience and passion for engaging our youth in American history as we look to shape this once-in-a-lifetime commemoration.” 

Federal agencies that serve as Ex-Officio members for the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission include:  Department of the Interior; Department of Justice; Department of State; Department of Defense, Department of Education, Institute of Museum and Library Services; Library of Congress; National Archives and Records Administration; National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Smithsonian Institution, and the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Arts & Culture Advisory Council

  • Noah Griffin, Founder & Artistic Director, Cole Porter Society (Commission Representative)
  • Clifford Murphy, Director, Folk & Traditional Arts, National Endowment for the Arts (Ex-Officio)
  • Michael Orlove, Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships, National Endowment for the Arts (Ex-Officio)

Health & Wellness Advisory Council

  • Dr. Sara Newman Director, National Park Service, Office of Public Health (Honorary Institutional Member)

History Education Advisory Council 

  • Val Crofts, Director of Education, American Village (Commission Representative)
  • Wilfred McClay, Director, Center for the History of Liberty (Commission Representative)
  • Lynn Forney Young, Honorary President General, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Commission Representative)
  • Mindy Berry, Special Advisor to the Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities (Ex-Officio)*

Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Council

  • Dr. Nicholas Coddington, Supervisor, Education and Public Programs, Museum Programs Division,  National Archives and Records Administration (Ex-Officio)
  • Laura Huerta Migus, Deputy Director, Office of Museum Services, Institute of Museum of Library Services (Ex-Officio)

Innovation, Science & Entrepreneurship Advisory Council

  • Rachel Goslin, Director, Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building (Ex-Officio) 

International Advisory Council

  • Nancy Szalwinski, Director of Cultural Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State (Ex-Officio)

Parks, Preservation & Public Spaces Advisory Council

  • Lynn Forney Young, Honorary President General, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Commission Representative)
  • Tom Medema, Acting Associate Director, National Park Service (Honorary Institutional Member)

Sports & Entertainment Advisory Council

  • Val Crofts, Director of Education, American Village (Commission Representative)

Veterans, Military & Family Members Advisory Council

  • Corey Henderson, Multimedia Consultant, Stars and Stripes (Honorary Institutional Member)
  • Susanne Hiscock, Associate Chief of Staff, National Guard Bureau Joint Staff (Honorary Institutional Member)
  • Lieutenant Commander Jose A. Mercado Jr., Office of External Outreach & Heritage, United States Coast Guard (Honorary Institutional Member)

Youth Engagement Advisory Council

  • Val Crofts, Director of Education, American Village (Commission Representative)
  • Shari Werb, Director, Center for Learning, Literacy & Engagement, Library of Congress (Ex-Officio)
  • Lynn Forney Young, Honorary President General, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Commission Representative)

To learn more about America250’s Advisory Councils and for a full list of members, click here.   

About America250

America250 is a multiyear effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the United States. The purpose of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, created by Congress, and the corresponding America250 Foundation, is to catalyze a more perfect union by designing and leading the most comprehensive and inclusive celebration in our country’s history. America250 represents a coalition of public and private partners all working to create initiatives and programs that honor our first 250 years and inspire Americans to imagine our next 250. The commemoration period began in 2020, culminates on July 4, 2026, and officially concludes in 2027. For more information, visit www.america250.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter , and  Instagram.

Media Contact:
Rebecca Devine, [email protected]