Brandywine Stories: Celebrating 250 Years

Fireworks? Sure. But West Chester University is celebrating America’s 250th birthday with something even more powerful: ideas, creativity and civic connection.

West Chester University (WCU), a public institution with deep civic roots in Chester County and a growing regional footprint, has launched a wide-ranging initiative in alignment with America250, the national effort to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Rather than just reflecting on where America has been, WCU is asking big questions about where we’re headed and inviting students, faculty and the wider community into the conversation.

The initiative is organized around three bold themes: “Learn and Inform Our Shared History,” “Uphold and Advance American Ideals” and “Engage and Sustain Community.” These ideas are driving a flurry of activity across campus — academic, artistic, historical and just plain fun.

What’s in the Works

WCU’s America250 undertaking stretches across departments and disciplines. Students are both attending events and shaping them, from serving on planning committees to designing campaign materials through media and communications courses. Faculty members in history, anthropology, political science and the honors college are developing new content that encourages students to reflect critically on the past and their role in shaping the country’s future. From science to the arts, classrooms across campus are diving into conversations about the Constitution and civic identity, connecting democratic values to each field.

Statewide, WCU students are taking part in initiatives like America250PA’s Semiquincentennial Scholarship Contest, which awards funding to college students who demonstrate civic engagement and creativity. Another initiative is the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge, a statewide competition that invites college students to develop creative marketing campaigns that engage the public with the themes and goals of America250.

Behind the scenes, the university’s Special Collections Library is mining its archives to explore WCU’s own story to culminate in a major museum exhibition open to the public. Throughout its evolution from 19th-century teacher-training school to a modern public university with 17,000+ students, WCU has championed civic engagement and public service, demonstrating the American ideals being celebrated in America250.

Off campus, the university is teaming up with regional partners — including the Chester County History Center, County Planning Commission and Chester County Community Foundation — to cohost exhibitions, share historical research, coordinate public events and foster community dialogue that connects local stories to national themes. These activities are all part of a broader effort to make America250 programming inclusive, accessible and rooted in place.

A Spectacular Gathering

One of the liveliest and most visible parts of the celebration is the Marching Band Cavalcade planned for the week of July 1, 2026. WCU will welcome marching bands from across the country, representing most U.S. states, to perform on its campus.

The event, part of the larger America250 celebration across Chester County and Philadelphia, will include a field show competition and concert. With its own “Incomparable Golden Rams” band among the nation’s top collegiate ensembles, WCU is uniquely positioned to host the gathering. The event promises to be an exuberant, musical display of national pride, young talent and shared American traditions.

So yes, there will be fireworks. But at West Chester University, America250 is also about asking: What comes next? In classrooms, libraries, lecture halls and community spaces, the university is preparing students and Chester County neighbors alike not only to remember America’s founding ideals, but to live them.

Educating Citizens, Supporting Connections

At the heart of America250 is a vital question: What does it mean to be a citizen and who is included in America’s story? WCU’s President Laurie Bernotsky, a political scientist, views the semiquincentennial as a chance for universities to renew their role as citizenship mentors by engaging students in critical dialogue, community projects and active participation in democratic life.

As a civic anchor in southeastern Pennsylvania, WCU embraces its responsibility. Dr. Bernotsky explained, “I take seriously our responsibility to educate citizens, strengthen communities and uphold the enduring ideals of free expression, mutual respect and civic participation.”

By engaging in community partnerships, civic projects and academic programs that encourage active participation in democracy, Dr. Bernotsky emphasized, “WCU students are not just studying history. They are helping to write the next 250 years, guided by the very principles that launched a nation and continue to shape its promise.”

Kim Andrews is an A250 Friends Outreach Officer of the Community Foundation and nonprofit consultant. She wrote this article to raise awareness of Chester County’s role in our nation’s fight for freedom and to build engagement for 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. To get involved, contact America 250 Friends at the Chester County Community Foundation, A250Friends.org.