America 250

The Peoria Riverfront Museum is celebrating a $1 million philanthropic gift for performance opportunities, and the addition of another rare historical American document to its permanent collection.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum will represent Illinois with a pavilion on the National Mall as part of the upcoming Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Organizers of this year’s Red, White & Boom fireworks show along the Illinois River on Independence Day expect the turnout to be spectacular.

As America prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a new memorial honoring Revolutionary War veterans with ties to the Peoria area is taking its place in the historic Springdale Cemetery.

Bradley University recently unveiled a large mural on Harper Hall near the campus entryway intersection, while ArtsPartners of Central Illinois has announced plans for another mural at the corner of Main and Sheridan Road.

A plan for Tazewell County to give each of the county's 19 townships $1,000 to help them celebrate America 250 with historic markers next year was sent back to the drawing board.

The announcement comes in conjunction with the unveiling of George Washington's hand-written, first presidential proclamation declaring the Thanksgiving holiday.