The Maryland Mosaic and the 250th Anniversary of the U.S.
The Maryland State 250th Commission, the state’s agency overseeing the anniversary has adopted the Maryland Mosaic as one of its featured programs for 2026. Using individual stories and accounts, the Mosaic spans all 250 years and the length and breadth of our state.
Behind each Mosaic Piece is an organization, society, museum, state-based agency or small non-profit that knows most about a particular Mosaic Piece. Many of them can be visited, forming a heritage tourism trail; many of them will have exhibits or the potential for programming in the 2026 year. These organizations will be recognized as Mosaic Partners and encouraged to develop ways to tell the general public about their particular Mosaic Piece, including other events or persons that contribute to the state’s history. The Partners can tell a wider history than the Mosaic can. Their promotion of their own stories is the heart of the project.
The 250th Commission can support the Partners with statewide promotion of the entire Mosaic and developing statewide schedules of events, both large and small, in the 2026 year.
We will continue to provide information and recognition of the Partners and their activities on this website.
The 1780 Maryland Statehouse is the oldest continuously used state capitol in the nation.
How did we build the Maryland Mosaic?
The Mosaic was created with three overarching purposes.
- To explore Maryland as a border state, using historical events, issues and resources.
- To be a statewide project; it includes entries from all 23 counties and Baltimore City.
- To promote the role of Maryland in the evolution of the United States as a small state with a BIG history.
The Mosaic offers statewide participation in the nation’s 250th birthday. Each of the 23 counties and Baltimore City will have at least one Mosaic Piece in the completed collection. Participating counties can use that Piece as a springboard to show off other local history and thanks to a common branding, can connect all across the state.
Because Maryland is not a consistent story of progress and achievements, we have been first at some things we regret. It is important to acknowledge and approach historical examples through a variety of lenses. The selection of Mosaic Pieces will continue to be curated by a diverse group of historians, museum directors and community leaders, who together will work to produce a vibrant, representative and accessible picture of our state.
Our Values
Vision
The Maryland Mosaic will become an essential historical resource for our state and an important contribution to the nation’s 250th anniversary. It will lay a foundation for Maryland’s 400th anniversary in 2034.
Mission
The Maryland Mosaic is a collection of “firsts in the nation” that shows the reach of a small state with a big history.
Contribute to the Mosaic
Maryland’s history is a reflection of the complex history of America. The Pieces have a diversity that involves the whole state and we can freely explore without restriction the complex and contradictory events that have happened here.
Do you have a Maryland first you would like us to consider? If so, please use the button below to share your first on the form provided. We will be back to you. Help us be “first in the nation.”
