The Ottawa County-America 250 Committee met at the Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center in Port Clinton on Feb. 10 to continue its efforts to plan local events that will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

PORT CLINTON – On Thursday, March 6 at 11 a.m., the Ottawa County Commissioners will raise an America-250 Ohio (AM-250 Ohio) Community flag on the courthouse lawn. The AM-250 Ohio Commission provided a flag to every designated AM-250 Ohio community. Ottawa County, along with the other 87 counties across the state, are participating AM-250 Ohio communities and receive access to resources and special information on planned statewide events and initiatives to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. This flag raising event coincides with the founding of Ottawa County on March 6, 1840.

‘Two Lights for Tomorrow’ will be held April 18 & 19. This is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the famous ride of Paul Revere that alerted American patriots about approaching British troops at Lexington and Concord. On April 18, every statehouse will display two lights, as will the Ottawa County courthouse. We invite lighting participation at as many locations as possible, including community centers, municipal and county administrative buildings, and private residences. On April 19, a day of service is encouraged with volunteer projects such as park and cemetery clean-ups, community builds, food drives and outreach to residents of care facilities.

The Ottawa County Historical Society will dedicate a National Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Patriot Marker at the Wolcott Keeper’s House Family Cemetery in Danbury Township on Saturday, May 17, at 1 p.m. The DAR Patriot Marker will be placed at the gravesite of American Revolutionary War veteran, Benajah Wolcott. In addition to Wolcott, the ceremony will honor four other American Revolutionary War veterans buried in Ottawa County. The four veterans are Isaac Ambler, John Clemons, John Green and Israel Harrington.

The Ottawa County-America 250 Committee is working with groups across the county to plan celebratory events and activities everyone can enjoy. We’ll share event information as soon as plans are finalized. In the interim, please check the Ottawa County Historical Society website for available information at www.ottawacountyhistory.org.