The Vincennes State Historic Sites are continuing with America 250 activities while still working on more.
Site Manager Joanne Taylor says their inaugural 2nd Saturday Speaker series event was well attended this past Saturday. It explored the British perspective on the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary War, offering attendees a nuanced view of the Revolutionary era.
“We’ve got various different elements of society who were thinking slightly different things about the American Revolution,” Taylor explained. “Hopefully people will realize that the American Revolution wasn’t in isolation, but also that there wasn’t a concerted effort to alienate the colonies at the time. It was more complicated than that.”
Taylor emphasized that understanding the British perspective reveals the Revolutionary period as “an exciting time” shaped by complex political and social dynamics rather than simple opposition.
The speaker series continues on February 14th, when a representative from the Black History Preservation Project will discuss African Americans in Indiana during the Revolutionary War era.
Beyond the monthly speaker series, organizers are developing plans for Vincennes’ Fourth of July America 250 commemoration. A Friday evening street festival is planned for June 26th, featuring food vendors, booths, and live entertainment. The event, still in early planning stages and not yet officially named, is designed to bring the community downtown for celebration.
Taylor says the timing is strategic, positioning the festival between the Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous—which marks its 50th anniversary over Memorial Day weekend—and the Fourth of July parade. The goal is to create a new community gathering that complements the broader celebration period surrounding America’s 250th anniversary.
Hit play and hear our entire interview with Jo Taylor from the Vincennes State Historic Sites. The interview was recorded Friday 1/9/26 one day before the first 2nd Saturday Speaker Series Event. Taylor talks about other speakers coming up as well as America 250 plans for the city.
