POLAND — The Poland Historical Society hosted two meetings last week to kick off the planning for 2026 and the nation’s semiquincentennial, 250th anniversary.

The society has announced it will be working with the America 250-Ohio Commission to include Poland’s rich history for the celebration in 2026.

“Poland Village and Poland Township have both passed motions to support the America 250 celebration,” said Poland Historical Society President Laurie Fox.

She said as an initial step forward, the two meetings were planned to see which local organizations would be willing to join the effort and make next year a special one for the community.

The Wednesday meeting was at the Poland Library, which already has agreed to play a role in the America 250 year-long celebration. Poland librarian Tim Seman said there are plans in the making to showcase Poland and how it relates to the nation’s and Ohio’s history.

The Public Library has joined the America 250 and has a committee to host events throughout the county. Seman served as a team manager for the local America 250 group.

Seman said one of the programs will deal with a shooting that was a conflict back in 1800.

“It was known as the McMahon Incident when two native Americans were shot and killed at the Salt Springs,” Seman said. “The land was not yet Trumbull County and there was a controversy on what court should hear the case.”

He said many historic stories like this are out there and ready to be told, and the Poland Library is ready to do its part.

Regina Rees, a Poland Historical Society trustee and retired Poland educator, said she is starting to put together a community theater production to coincide with America 250.

“We started a program called Voices from Poland,” she said. “We discovered letters, speeches, diaries and documents about Poland history. We want to bring those to life as well as with music.”

She said former Youngstown State University professor Rick Schilling is writing a script using the PHS information and archives. Later this year, Rees will be looking to hold auditions for various parts in the production. The actors will be portraying famous Poland figures such as former U.S. President William McKinley, Revolutionary War soldier Turhand Kirtland and more.

PHS trustee Dave Smith spoke at the Wednesday meeting and spoke on what it was like during the 200th anniversary of the nation.

“There was a lot of patriotism and pride that year and I hope we can carry that forward,” Smith said. “We have the opportunity in 2026 to show Poland’s role in the early days of our nation.”

He pointed out the 200th celebrations in 1976 and how the state had gathered listings of Ohio historic homes. Homes that were accepted as 19th century homes were issued an Ohio plaque. Smith brought one to show at the meeting.

“There were 80 or so Poland homes that were issued the plaques,” he said.

Smith said it shows how important Poland is to Ohio and America’s independence.

Fox released a brochure at the meeting showing a tentative schedule of possible Poland events each month for 2026. It included a wide variety of events from planting trees, movie nights, exploratory walks, memorial walks and a host of other ideas. Fox said in December, the year long celebration would be capped off with a Poland time capsule featuring photos, letters, artwork and memorabilia from students and families. The capsule would be sealed and buried, not to be opened until 2076.

“We are inviting residents and students to write a letter to the future envisioning America at age 300,” Fox said.

One event Fox spoke on was the historic bell ringing of Sept. 17, 1787, after the signing of the Constitution of the United States. She said it would be “awesome” to have all the church bell towers, the Village clock tower and hundreds of residents all ringing bells at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2026, to honor that historic moment.

Fox also noted the Poland Historical Society announced it would work with the America 250-Ohio commemoration initiative. As an early partner, Poland has already received special recognition and a designation as an official America 250-Ohio community.

As an official community, Fox received two America 250 flags to display during events in 2026. She is looking into purchasing more flags and taking orders for those wanting one for their own flag pole. She also is looking into bells that could be handed out to residents for the Sept. 17 event next year.

For more information on the America 250 celebration in 2026, visit the website www.poland historicalsociety.com or to get involved, email phs@poland

historicalsociety.com.

For the various library programs for America 250, go to the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County website. From the main page, click the “programs” menu bar and then the “events” tabs. Under events, search for America 250 events to see the latest updates to programs taking place both this year and next.