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Local VA250 committee outlines summer film series, exhibits and $19,000 in grants for Smith County events
Summary
Smith County VA250 organizers told the board they secured two Virginia Tourism marketing grants (over $14,000) and a $5,000 Virginia Humanities grant to underwrite county events in 2026 including a free film series, storytelling panels and a mobile museum visit.
Representatives of Smith County's VA250 committee presented plans for community commemorations tied to the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding and said state marketing and humanities grants helped expand programming.
"The purpose, of course, is to celebrate the 202 hundred and 50th anniversary of our nation's founding," the committee representative said, describing a slate of events designed to attract visitors and highlight local history. The committee said it had applied for and received two marketing grants from Virginia Tourism totaling more than $14,000 and a $5,000 grant from Virginia Humanities to support programming and materials.
Planned programming includes a free Sunday-afternoon film series at the Lincoln Theater (introductions and post-screening discussions), portable storytelling/signage panels to circulate through partner sites, a mobile VA250 museum visit during the Hungry Mother festival and an exhibit on local Revolutionary War history later in the year. Presenters also asked community groups and local institutions to help display materials and partner on events.
Supervisors thanked the committee and raised logistical questions about timing and visitor outreach. Committee members offered to provide contact information and printed marketing materials for county distribution.
