Chillicothe — The 250th birthday of the nation was officially celebrated at two downtown locations on a hot Independence Day…with a third in a cool historic theater.
“America 250 Ross County” and others coordinated a commemoration on the courthouse steps, and then a Revolutionary War veterans monument dedication in Veterans Memorial Park on July 4th, 2026.
Then the day after had a free showing at the Majestic Theatre of the 1972 movie “1776,” adapted from the popular musical stage play.
At 11:30am, the Veterans Honor Guard stood at attention in front of the courthouse as America 250 leader Terressa Reep emceed the event…and the limited crowd stood in what shade they could find.
Ross County Commissioner Jack Everson gave a short speech, and then the son of Commissioner David Glass led the Pledge of Allegiance.
State Representative Mark Johnson also gave a speech, and then Chillicothe Council President Kevin Shoemaker spoke on behalf of Mayor Luke Feeney who was on vacation.
Then the local Nathaniel Massie Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution explained each phrase of the renowned second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.
The event was closed by the singing of the national anthem…followed by “Yankee Doodle.”
Watch the event in the below videos. (Apologies for intermittent traffic noise – we were near the main crossroads of Chillicothe. And sorry for the shakiness – I wan’t feeling good, on top of being in the heat.)
At 12:30pm, the new monument to the Revolutionary War veterans who moved into the frontier of Ohio – in Veterans Memorial Park, close to Yoctangee Boulevard – was dedicated.
Again, America 250 leader Terressa Reep emceed the event, and mentioned that Ohio is second only to Massachusetts for the number of documented Revolutionary War veterans.
She also pointed out that the park was originally intended only for veterans of WWI and later, but an exception was readily granted for the war 250 years ago.
Reep also explained the fortuitous availability of the monument from Chillicothe Monument, led by Eric Gunnoe, and that the Scioto Valley Realtors made a big donation towards it. She also mentioned that the ladies of the DAR landscaped the earth behind the Vietnam Memorial.
Again, State Representative Mark Johnson and Chillicothe Council President Kevin Shoemaker spoke.
DAR member Judy Climer gave more insights on the monument and its effort. Veterans Council leader Bob Leach also spoke briefly, and then participated in a rifle salute and taps to end the ceremony.
Watch the event in the second pair of videos below.
Next coming up for America 250 Ross County is a second event at Adena Mansion & Gardens, a “Community Picnic” from 1 to 5pm on Saturday, July 18th. Other events on the second Saturday of the month will fill out the year – see the flyers below.
“America 250 Ross County” has a Facebook page, and a page hosted by the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau.
