All across the United States, communities both large and small are buzzing with excitement as we approach America250: a nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. Here in Randolph County you can discover over 250 years of history now through the end of 2026 and beyond.

The historic Kelly Foundry building is home to a brand new America250 mural by local artist Heather Johnson, thanks to a grant from the Randolph County Commission and the West Virginia Department of Tourism. Located next to the railroad tracks, this new mural is best viewed onboard the New Tygart Flyer excursion train or the special celebration train on June 19th. For one day only, this trip will celebrate both West Virginia Day and America’s 250th with a four-hour outing from Elkins to Belington that will include live music, living history interpreters, food and craft vendors, and activities for kids. Also on West Virginia Day weekend, you can celebrate tradition and family history at the Wild and Wonderful Celtic Festival and Highland Games at Camp Pioneer in Beverly.

There will be fireworks and festivities in Pickens, Harman, and Elkins on Saturday the 4th. Head to the former timber and railroad community of Pickens for a potluck at 6:00pm at the Fire Department with DJ and dancing by the American Legion Hall, with fireworks to follow. The Harman Volunteer Fire Department will kick off their annual celebration at 9:00am with vendors and food trucks, a car show and a parade during the day, and fireworks at dark. The 4 of July Parade in Elkins will take place at 5pm on Davis Avenue and will feature floats, decorated children’s bikes and UTV/ATVs, and more special surprises. The annual concert and fireworks show will return from 7:30-9:30pm in Elkins Town Square with Rick K performing. For the first time in years, the 4th of July Car Show will be held in Elkins City Park on Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th with vendors, prizes, and lots of classic cars, of course.

July 11th will mark the 165th anniversary of the Battle of Rich Mountain, the first major land battle of the Civil War. Join Rich Mountain Battlefield for a Commemoration Celebration featuring tours of the battlefield site followed with food, live music, and dancing at the nearby Field of Fire Pavilion. Visit the battlefield anytime of the year to explore on your own, or stop by the Beverly Heritage Center to learn more.

The Beverly Heritage Center will host a variety of free events this summer as “Semiquincentennial Saturdays” that will include blacksmith demos, walking tours, craft workshops, live music, and more. Their biggest event of the year, Beverly Heritage Day, will take place on July 18th and will focus on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Heritage Day will feature living history, cultural presentations, artisan demonstrations, interactive activities for kids, and music. New elements for this year’s event will include food trucks and an Early Settlers Reunion. Their new exhibit “Building Beverly, Building the Nation” explores the many cultural groups who called Beverly home in the 1700s. 

How is the town of Beverly connected to the Declaration of Independence? The new exhibit at the Randolph County Museum, called “The Harts as Founders: From Revolution to Randolph County”, focuses on the descendants of John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence who settled in Randolph County. The museum has expanded hours this summer and will be open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from June through September.

Headquartered in Elkins, the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area has been sharing stories of nationally important local history for the past three years in anticipation of America’s 250th. Now their new exhibit at the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center highlights hundreds of years of history throughout our region through the lenses of The New Country, Founders of the Forest, Cornerstones of Community, and A More Perfect Union. These topics cover early settlement and struggles during the Revolutionary period, the well-known and unsung people who contributed to the growth of the region, places where people have created communities, and ongoing civic engagement and struggles for justice and democracy. The exhibit is free and opens June 12th, and special programs connected to the exhibit will start with a presentation by Lars Byrne on July 16th at 6:30 PM at the Elkins Railyard.