America250 Cache County

Waltzing toward the USA’s 250th: County’s America250 gala happens Thursday; more events on the horizon As America’s 250th birthday rapidly approaches, with activities throughout Cache County ramping up, the Cache County America250 Committee is ready to host its “Dancing through the Decades Gala” from 6:30-9

In Hyrum now!

🇺🇸 Looking for some local fun this summer to commemorate America’s 250th in Utah? Check out The Pen Is Mightier, a traveling exhibit exploring the power of words, ideas, and civic engagement in the revolutionary war era and Utah history. ✍️📜

Find a stop near you this summer:
📍 Museum of the San Rafael, Emery County | May 6 – June 29
📍 Marysvale Historical Society Museum, Piute County | May 21 – Aug. 16
📍 Hyrum Museum, Cache County | June 2 – July 30
📍 Juab County Hall, Juab County | June 30 – Aug. 18
📍 Boulder Arts Council, Garfield County | July 2 – Aug. 16
📍 Wasatch County Museum, Wasatch County | Aug. 4 – Sept. 29
📍 Fairview Museum of History & Art, Sanpete County | Aug. 19 – Oct. 8
📍 Grantsville Public Library, Tooele County | Aug. 20 – Oct. 6
📍 Monticello Library, San Juan County | Aug. 21 – Oct. 29

The exhibit will tour all the way through 2026 check out more dates and where it is heading at https://america250.utah.gov/exhibit/

Source: founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-01-02-0286

Nibley Children's Theatre Heritage Days Show. Something you will want to stand up and salute. Two shows evenings of June 18th and 19th.

Today marks the 250th anniversary of the “Lee Resolution”—the first formal step towards the Continental Congress declaring American independence.

"Resolved, That these United Colonies are, & of right ought to be, free & independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, & that all political connection between them & the State of Great Britain is, & ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared & transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration & approbation"

Source: archives.gov/milestone-documents/lee-resolution

Congratulations to all of Utah's America250 Art & Essay Contest winners!

Out of 269 student submissions from across the state, nine students were selected as grand prize winners and awarded $1,000 scholarships for their outstanding work exploring the question: "What does America mean to you?"

We are especially proud to recognize the charter school students who earned grand prize honors:

🎨 Noelle McConnell – Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy

✍️ Zakia Mohammadi – Utah International Charter School

✍️ Advik Dehran – American Preparatory Academy, Draper

These talented students demonstrated creativity, thoughtful reflection, and a deep engagement with the principles found in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Congratulations to all of the students whose art and essays were recognized as part of Utah's celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Your voices, ideas, and talents inspire us all!

Join the Walk250 Challenge! Track your miles here: america250.utah.gov/walk250

Featured Trail: Canyon Trail | 1.5 miles | Trailhead: First Dam | "Popular trail for road biking, running, & walking."

What's your favorite trail?

"Walk250 Utah challenges every Utahn to complete 250 miles of outdoor exercise between July 2025 to July 2026 to honor our nation’s 250th anniversary."

Jack Jouett was born in Virginia on December 7, 1754. During the Revolutionary War, Jouett became famous for his "all night ride" in which he rescued Governor Thomas Jefferson from British capture.

Jouett also assisted General Edward Stevens to escape capture. Stevens was a member of the state senate & on that day was dressed in plain clothes & riding an unimpressive horse. Jouett wore a scarlet coat & flamboyant hat, & he had a fine, fast horse. When Tarleton’s men saw him & Stevens, they incorrectly presumed that Jouett was a high-ranking officer & Stevens an unimportant underling. They chased Jouett, whose fast horse easily outran them, leaving Stevens alone to get away safely.

For his bravery, Jouett was awarded a sword & pair of pistols & earned the title the "Paul Revere of the South."

The following year the war hero moved to Kentucky & married Sallie Robards. The couple had twelve children. Jack Jouett served in the Kentucky legislature & was an avid supporter in the fight for Kentucky statehood. His son Matthew Harris Jouett was one of Kentucky’s most-successful early portrait artists & painted nearly every prominent resident of Kentucky early in the nineteenth century. He executed a silhouette profile bust of his father, the only known likeness of Jack Jouett.

Sources: explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/469
encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/jack-jouetts-ride-1781/

America250 Smithfield UT needs more volunteers!

Smithfield City’s Summer of Celebration is officially in full swing—and volunteers are needed to help keep the magic alive!

Smithfield City's America250 Committee is pulling out all the stops for an unforgettable season with concerts, celebrations, a massive scavenger hunt, picnic in the park, and the weekly Forrester Park walks!

Want to be part of the powerhouse team making this patriotic magic happen? Don't just watch the fun—create it!

Get involved today: Contact Lisa Schmuhl at 801-215-9602 to join the committee!

For more local opportunities to serve during this "America250" year of service, follow "JustServe Cache Valley" on Instagram or Facebook, and go to JustServe.org.

The British had been threatening Richmond & central Virginia since the spring, & the General Assembly had fled to Charlottesville. On June 3, British cavalry under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton assembled in Louisa County to attack Charlottesville. Jouett noticed them, guessed their intentions, & raced ahead to warn Governor Thomas Jefferson, whose term had just ended, & other members of the state government.

The assembly escaped to Staunton while Jefferson retreated first to Monticello & then, eventually, to his second home at Poplar Forest, leaving Virginia without an elected governor for a few days.

The General Assembly honored Jouett’s actions & he later moved to Kentucky, where he served in that state’s government. His ride, meanwhile, achieved legendary status over the years, at least in Virginia. Over the next two centuries, various histories treated it as an important episode of the American Revolution (1775–1783).

Source: encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/jack-jouetts-ride-1781/