In the lead up to July 4, 2026, Highland County recently announced it will work in unison with the America 250-Ohio Commission, Ohio’s official state commission charged with creating the celebration of the country’s semiquincentennial, as an official America 250-Ohio Community. As a partner of the America 250-Ohio commemoration, Highland County will have the opportunity to showcase its commitment to honoring the state's diverse history and cultural heritage. Highland County will  receive special recognition and a designation as an official America 250-Ohio Community and have access to a number of resources, including signage, event promotion, planning resources and a network of community leaders throughout the state.

“Highland County is excited to be designated as an official America-250 community and we are actively planning a celebration for Highland County for July 17-19, 2026,” said Jamie Wheeler, Visitors Bureau of Highland County’s Executive Director. “The event will celebrate Highland County’s history and heritage as well as highlight Ohio’s oldest working Court House which is in Hillsboro, Ohio.

Planning Committee members for Highland County’s America 250 celebration include: 

• Kyle Barr, Mainstreet Greenfield
• Megan Blackburn, City of Hillsboro
• Julie Bolender, Highland County Economic Development
• Judge Rocky Coss, Highland County Common Pleas Court
• Rita Smith Daulton, Village of Leesburg
• Christine Hamlin, Lynchburg Historical Society
• Ike Hodson, Highland County Clerk of Courts
• Vicki Knauff, Highland County Historical Society
• Brad Roades, Highland County Commissioner
• Alice Teeters, Leesburg Historical Society
• Jamie Wheeler, Visitors Bureau of Highland County
• Ashleigh Willey, Highland County Commissioners’ Office
  
  
  

The America 250-Ohio Community program is a cornerstone of the Commission’s community engagement initiatives, which are designed to foster collaboration across Ohio’s 88 counties as the state prepares to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The program is designed for all levels of municipalities from across the state, and it offers a unique opportunity for Highland County leaders to network, partner and exchange information with the state Commission. Resources made available to America 250-Ohio Communities include:

• Digital toolkits and event planning resources
• Access to an online community platform
• Regular check-ins with other America 250-Ohio Communities
• Statewide recognition of participation in America 250-Ohio programming

“The goal of bringing Ohioans together to celebrate and commemorate our state’s place in American history is central to the work of the America 250-Ohio Commission,” said Taylor Tomu, community engagement and outreach specialist at America 250-Ohio. “The Commission is thrilled to welcome Highland County as an official partner, and we look forward to working together to make the America 250-Ohio commemoration the biggest in our state’s history.”

For information about America 250-Ohio, visit America250-Ohio.org. Follow America 250-Ohio on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/america250ohio/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/am250ohio/ for updates on programming and ways to get involved. As plans come together for Highland County’s celebration details will be posted on www.VisitHighlandCounty.com.