Freedom Trucks Caravan Will Carry America’s 250th Celebration Nationwide

This year marks the 250th anniversary of American independence — a once-in-a-generation moment to preserve and share the stories that bind our nation. Museums and libraries play a central role in keeping those stories alive, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is focused on ensuring they can do that work for all Americans.

As a small federal agency, IMLS supports museums and libraries in their mission to educate the public, preserve history, and strengthen civic life. Under the current administration, we have refocused grantmaking to help institutions that prioritize public history and community engagement.

Why This Matters

In recent years, some cultural institutions moved away from broad public education and toward projects driven by divisive ideological agendas. IMLS believes that cultural institutions should foster civic pride and a shared sense of belonging by presenting a balanced and accessible account of our history. When agencies and institutions emphasize ideology over public service, it can erode trust and civic cohesion.

Honoring Tradition and Access

Our libraries and museums have long been engines of knowledge and inclusion. Benjamin Franklin championed the lending library before the Revolution, observing that libraries “made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries.” Museums, likewise, preserve artifacts and narratives that help successive generations understand who we are and where we came from.

Introducing Freedom Trucks

To help mark America’s semiquincentennial, IMLS is supporting Freedom Trucks — a mobile initiative of retrofitted 18-wheelers equipped with interactive, educational exhibits about the Revolution and the early republic. Designed to engage visitors of all ages, these exhibits highlight the people, events, and places that shaped the founding era.

Freedom Trucks will tour the United States throughout 2026, stopping at local museums, libraries, schools, and community venues to create shared learning experiences and lasting memories for a new generation.

How Institutions Can Participate

IMLS has realigned its grant priorities to support museums and libraries that serve their communities and preserve history. We will work with organizations applying for federal funds to encourage appropriate commemorations, historical preservation, and public programs tied to the 250th anniversary and beyond. We invite museums, libraries, and community groups interested in participating to submit applications in the months ahead.

As families and communities prepare to observe 250 years of American history, local cultural institutions are invited to help lead the commemoration. Visit your nearby library or museum to discover programs and exhibits planned for the semiquincentennial.

Together we can celebrate our nation’s achievements, remember hard-won victories, and honor the art, literature, and public servants who have shaped the United States.

Keith E. Sonderling is Deputy Secretary of Labor and Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.