Honoring Missouri’s Heritage
Our Purpose
Celebrating Missouri’s history through vibrant events, honoring the past and inspiring the future. In alignment with the 250th anniversary of America on July 4, 2026, The Kellerman Foundation of Cape Girardeau proudly presents "From Colonies to Cape Girardeau" aka Celebration 250 - MO! This opportunity is the result of a grant award by the Missouri Humanities Council. The goals of this grant program are to promote collaboration, help Missourians have opportunities to interact with humanities scholars and experts, encourage connection between the open exchange and exploration of ideas, promote active participation in community life, and expand understanding of Missouri culture.
From Colonies to Cape Girardeau
Our program goals are to bring our community together to not only celebrate America's 250th anniversary & to recognize Missouri's contributions to its founding ideals of justice, liberty, opportunity, & equality.
Missouri's admission into the Union in 1821, following the Missouri Compromise, was one of major steps towards eradication of slavery throughout the United States.
As a slave state that remained with the Union, Missouri's role, both politically and geographically, played a major role in the defeat of the Confederate States of America & the abolition of slavery, solidifying the foundation of freedom which the United States was built on.
The condition of the state's admission is representative of the impasse that the United States had reached in its westward expansion as they struggled to extend the unalienable rights that formed the foundation of our country to all men, regardless of race.
Through our speaker series, we will discuss and highlight Missouri's greater contributions as a state towards achieving justice, liberty, opportunity, and equality, using the themes for the 250th commemoration, to communicate the different ways Missouri has & continues to develop socially, economically, & politically, since its admission in 1821.
#America250
#Strongertogether
Let's get this party started!!!!!
Experience the Celebration 250 - MO!
Semi-Quincentennial Celebration Schedule of Events
Speaker Series and Finale Lineup
All events 2pm to 4pm unless denoted otherwise
-Sunday, October 26, 2025 – Dr. Joel Rhodes, Incoming Exec Director, State Historical Society of Missouri, kicks off our humanities speaker series, presenting, The American Dream and current state in Missouri.
-Friday, November 2, 2025 - Discussion panel on Native American Civil rights history & current state MO. Will be led by local Native American & include sacred stories from area.
-Sunday, January 4, 2026 – Dr. Luke Ritter presents “Inventing Immigration Crisis 19th Century Missouri”. Discussion to follow.
-Sunday, February 1, 2026 – Honoring Black History Month, Calvin L. Osborne & associate, Anthony Jones, Civil War reenactors, discuss “The Role of United States Colored Soldiers in the Civil War. Discussion to follow.
-Sunday, March 1, 2026 - Discussion panel on women's civil rights, goals toward universal civil rights. Will include important women who left their mark on the area & our country.
-Friday, April 12, 2026 - The American Dream display, reception & discussions with display maintained throughout the month for viewing.
-Sunday, May 3, 2026 - Discussion panel on Power of Place w/ focus on natural resources, local area contributions that shaped settlement, economy, & migration in MO.
-Pending - Juneteeth video viewing - Shady Grove Cemetery
-Sunday, June 14, 2026 – FINALE! *Kellerman-Lorimier Hall, parking lot, 3-8 pm
Celebration event w/ speaker on Declaration of Independence w/ outdoor displays of the past months’ events, food trucks, donated patriotic period music art/music, presentations by speakers, community members of other historic groups, and friends on humanities topics leading to freedom, justice, & liberty for all.
Food and Drinks
Celebration 250 - MO! finale will include food & drinks from local vendors for purchase, from gourmet burgers, sweet treats, and craft beer, there's something for everyone.
Art Installations
Art & music will be part of our finale event, featuring an interpretative performance by James Linden Hogg. Hogg is a multi-instrument singer/songwriter, author, & historian who has won several awards, including induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, 2025. Art installations representing the American Dream project will be on display providing a unique & immersive experience for all who are attend the Sunday, June 14, 2026 event.
Tickets
Tickets for the Celebration 250 - MO!
NO TICKETS are required for any of these events celebrating America 250 and everyone is welcome!
Accommodations
If you're traveling from out of town for any Celebration 250 - MO! events, there are a variety of accommodation options available. From hotels to camping, there's something for every budget and preference. Please join us! Come enjoy our special river city & historic downtown, that offers many historic sites, specialty shops, & unique restaurants for the whole family to enjoy.
Protect & preserve architectural/historical/cultural heritag
The Mary Ann and Bert J. Kellerman Foundation