By Barbara Palmgren
They say it takes a whole village to raise a child. They say that Rome wasn’t built in a day. They say that great lessons can be learned from history.
All of the above is true as the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida prepares one of its greatest challenges: how to best honor the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation. This challenge began over a year ago when museum manager, Arthur Edgar, reminded the hard-working board of trustees that 2026 was going to be a special year for our nation and we should begin thinking about whether we wanted to recognize this once in a lifetime event.
The answer of course was “yes,” and trustees decided that we must honor our nation and the historic event that happened 250 years ago.
As Exhibits Chair for the Board of Trustees, I knew there was one person who could create a museum quality exhibit for our community and visitors—Dr. Marie Hallion, our Museum and Education Chair. Marie is a subject matter expert in American History. After Florida Rep. Patt Maney called in the summer with news of newly available 250th anniversary grant funding, we applied with the help of Parker Destin, a passionate historian, and Susan Page, our Museum Development Chair and skilled grant writer.
Although the grant was ultimately not awarded—most funding went to Central and South Florida—the concept for the exhibit took shape and evolved into a compelling educational experience. On Oct. 1, 2025, members were emailed broad exhibit details and invited to contribute artifacts, historic documents, signage support and mock-ups highlighting events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
With Dr. Hallion developing the panel text, maps and images, the next step was forming an expanded committee to guide the project toward its planned 2026 opening. The committee’s makeup—discussed at the annual November membership meeting—included educators, business owners, teachers, media representatives and members of the museum’s board of trustees.
The committee officially convened on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, with 20 members reviewing exhibit panels that will soon line the gallery walls. Among the featured artifacts will be a collection of colonial currency recently donated by Tom and Sue McKnight.
A children’s-focused subcommittee was also created, chaired by longtime museum volunteer Connie Wolfe, who brings more than a decade of experience organizing youth programs and summer camps.
Are we special? Parker Destin told us that only two museums in the Panhandle will be hosting a special exhibit for the 250th anniversary next year: The University of West Florida and the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. He congratulated everyone at the meeting for sharing time and expertise to bring this history treasure forward.
Museum trustees and management will keep the community posted as we are near a target gate for the grand opening of Celebrate America 250! American Revolution in early 2026. Together, we will celebrate this special year in a history museum in Valparaiso. Together, we will celebrate an event that changed our world forever.
