DALLAS, Texas — As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is commemorating this historic milestone with a series of special installations, artifact displays, and events that celebrate the enduring values that define America.
“The semiquincentennial is an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s story and inspire hope and progress for the next 250 years,” said Dana Ayres, the Ken Hersh Family Director of the George W. Bush Presidential Museum. “We invite visitors to engage with history through our upcoming programming, outdoor displays, and rare historical documents.”
Support for the Bush Center’s Celebrating America at 250 programming is provided by Sewell Automotive Companies, with special thanks to Hoblitzelle Foundation.
Opening the Vault
In partnership with the National Archives and Records Administration, the Bush Center will temporarily display a rare collection of original historical documents through May 21. On view inside the Bush Museum are historical artifacts related to U.S. National Parks, including:
- Act to Establish Yellowstone National Park (1872)
- Act to Establish a National Park Service (1916)
- Illustrated cover for the Yellowstone National Park Master Plan (1932)
- Illustrated cover for the Mount Rainier National Park Master Plan (1933)
Purchase of a Bush Museum ticket is required to visit this portion of the exhibit.
Additional foundational documents from the National Archives will be on display in the George W. Bush Presidential Library research room, including:
- Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)
- Treasury Warrant in the Amount of $7.2 Million for the Purchase of Alaska (1868)
- Joint Resolution Proposing the Fifteenth Amendment (1869)
- Thomas Edison’s Patent Application Drawing for the Light Bulb (1880)
- Statue of Liberty Deed of Gift (1884)
- Joint Address to Congress Leading to a Declaration of War Against Germany (1917)
A Bush Museum ticket is not required to view this portion of the exhibit.
A Conversation with Walter Isaacson on “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” on Wednesday, April 22
As part of its Celebrating America at 250 programming, the Bush Center will welcome one of America’s most celebrated biographers, Walter Isaacson, to discuss the Declaration of Independence’s most defining line: “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” In this special edition of Engage at the Bush Center, presented by NexPoint, Isaacson will reflect on his latest book and examine how this single line has shaped our ideals, challenged our conscience, and guided our ongoing pursuit of liberty and equality. Media must register for credentials here by Tuesday, April 21 at 12 p.m. to attend. Event livestream will also be made available here.
America’s Birthday: A History of Independence Day Story Walk
This limited-time outdoor exhibit explores how Americans have celebrated Independence Day across generations. As visitors stroll through the installation at the entrance of the Bush Museum, they’ll discover how traditions have evolved and how different eras have marked the Fourth of July in unique ways. This exhibit is free to the public and will be on display through October.
George Tobolowsky Installation at the Bush Center
A striking new outdoor installation by internationally known Dallas-based artist George Tobolowsky features five installations composed of ten American flags, displayed along the circle drive at the entrance to the Bush Institute.
A graduate of SMU, Tobolowsky studied under acclaimed Texas sculptor James Surls, whose work Reflections is also installed inside the Bush Institute. Using found and recycled materials, primarily made-in-America wrenches, drill bits, fans, and sprockets, Tobolowsky transforms industrial objects into powerful interpretations of the American flag, reflecting different moments in the nation’s history. This exhibit is free to the public and will be on display until November.
Free Admission Weekend from July 3-6
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at the George W. Bush Presidential Museum with an extended free weekend, July 3-6. Explore the permanent exhibit along with Game Changer: United by Sports, presented by Garry Weber.
For more information, contact Hannah Fallon at [email protected] or visit the Celebrating America at 250 webpage.
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George W. Bush Presidential Center
Located on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is a nonpartisan institution advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. The Bush Center comprises the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and the George W. Bush Institute, a solution-oriented policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies through policy solutions and public engagement. The Bush Center also houses the George W. Bush Presidential Library, operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, which provides access to official documents and artifacts from the George W. Bush Administration. Learn more about the Bush Center at bushcenter.org.
