SETX 250!

As the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, the Beaumont Heritage Society is launching Southeast Texas 250, a regional initiative to commemorate the United States Semiquincentennial across Southeast Texas. The effort will bring together museums, historical organizations, schools, civic groups, and local governments throughout the region to celebrate the people, places, and stories that have shaped Southeast Texas and its role in the broader American story. The national milestone commemorates the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Across the country, communities are organizing programs leading up to the anniversary through the nationwide effort coordinated by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. Southeast Texas 250 will serve as the regional framework for local participation in the celebration. Led by the Beaumont Heritage Society, Southeast Texas 250 will encourage communities across the region to host events, exhibitions, oral history projects, educational programs, and heritage tourism initiatives that highlight local history while connecting it to the larger national narrative. The initiative is expected to include collaborative programming with regional partners and special events leading up to and after the 250th anniversary of Independence Day in 2026. 🏨 Making a weekend of it? Stay with our partner hotel! Hilton Garden Inn Beaumont 3755 I-10, Beaumont, TX 77705. Book online or call the hotel and reference client/company number 3553285 for a special rate. See the SETX 250 Community Calendar and list of events below! _________________________________________________________ Community Barbecue and SETX  250 Kickoff | The Chambers House Museum | Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 | 12 – 4 p.m.   Join us for a Community Barbecue at the Chambers House Museum on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. as we kick off Southeast Texas 250, a regional celebration leading up to America’s 250th anniversary. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors for an afternoon of good food, community spirit, and local history. This free event is a chance to gather together, celebrate the stories that shaped Southeast Texas, and launch a year of special programs and events across the region. The Chambers House Museum, operated by the Beaumont Heritage Society, provides the perfect historic backdrop for this celebration. Come enjoy barbecue, connect with your community, and help us start the Southeast Texas 250 festivities in style. AMSET Film Crew Meeting | The Art Museum of SETX | Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 | 5:30 p.m.   Join AMSET in celebrating America 250 by discussing one of the oldest art forms in America, quilting. The two documentaries listed below provide insight into the history, cultural significance, and artistry of quilting with emphasis on how quilts tell diverse stories. Attendees will watch the documentaries on their own and come together for conversation.  T...