Members of the Falls Church250 Committee are getting down to the nuts and bolts of preparing for the nation’s 2026 birthday bash.
At a meeting last week, committee members wordsmithed their way to reach a final version of the body’s mission statement.
It declares, among other points, that the 2026 celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday will be “historically honest, founding-principles based, future focused and collaboratively designed.”
“We’re open to suggestions and feedback,” said Corey Payne, special-events supervisor with Falls Church Recreation & Parks.
Payne has been tasked with coordinating efforts related to the celebration.
“There are different ways we could go,” Payne said at the planning committee’s quarterly meeting on Tuesday (July 15). “What themes are the most important? We want everyone to come, but is there a specific audience?”
“I’m sure everyone has a lot of ideas,” said Holly Irwin, the city’s arts and humanities coordinator.
Getting to a final version of the mission statement required give and take among committee members.
Nikki Graves Henderson, a board member of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, said an initial draft struck her as “a little too sterile.”
Thirty minutes later, when a vote was taken on the final revision, Henderson had been won over.
“I’m pleased with it. “I can live with it,” she said.
“It’s good,” added Jim Coyle, representing the Economic Development Authority on the panel.
In the coming months, it will be Payne’s job to come up with a plan for city officials and community groups to celebrate the national birthday. Festivities are likely to continue up to a “capstone event” on July 4, 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Ahead of that, Falls Church officials are aiming to have the state government’s mobile 250th-anniversary museum on hand for Memorial Day celebrations in 2026. City staff have been in touch with state legislators in hopes of securing it.
Final decisions on where the museum will travel next year will come after the Sept. 1 deadline for localities to put in their requests.
“I would be very surprised if we didn’t get it for Memorial Day, but we won’t know until September,” Irwin said.
City Council members last November established the Falls Church250 Committee. Its duration is set to run through January 2027, with membership coming from the following organizations.
- The Falls Church City Council
- The Falls Church City School Board
- The Historical Commission
- The Economic Development Authority
- The Arts and Humanities Council
- The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
- The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation
- The Vietnamese Literary and Artistic Club
- The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce
- Welcoming Falls Church
- Village Preservation and Improvement Society
The committee’s new mission statement is below.
“In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the City of Falls Church honors its distinctive place in Virginia’s and the nation’s history. From its Indigenous roots through its colonial history and pathbreaking role in the Civil Rights struggle, Falls Church continues to evolve as a vibrant, diverse community. Its history reflects the broader American journey — one grounded in the ideals of liberty, equality, and democratic self-governance.
“This milestone invites both reflection and aspiration. We recommit to the founding principles that have guided our nation and to the importance of progress in social, political, and economic issues that can shape a better nation. We commit to a commemoration that is historically honest, founding principles-based, future-focused, and collaboratively designed with the community organizations that enrich our City.”
As Falls Church begins to gear up for the nation’s 250th birthday, neighboring jurisdictions are doing so, as well.
The Arlington County government has turned over leadership of its effort to the Arlington Historical Society, which is beginning preparations. In Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors last week designated Celebrate Fairfax as the body to manage logistics and partnerships for what is designed to be an “inclusive, community-driven experience.”
That group will coordinate efforts with the Fairfax County 250 Commission, which has been tasked with leading efforts.
Photo via VA250/Facebook
