On July 4th, 2026, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. There will be activities throughout entire year of 2026 to celebrate the birthday of our Nation’s independence.

Bethel’s Ben Franklin building is getting a large mural that will honor the service members, police, and firefighters from our community’s proud history. Traveling artist Ben Harrison showed his design for his America 250 mural with guests at the Grant Career Center in Bethel and is currently sketching it out on the side facing the museum. Once completed, Bethel’s mural will be one of seven that will be on display on buildings in Clermont County during 2026 in Milford, Loveland, New Richmond, Williamsburg, and Miami and Union townships.

Another artist is honoring Clermont County’s native son President Ulysses S. Grant.  Cincinnati sculptor Tom Tsuchiya shared a model of his statue depicting President Grant, 19th century Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ely Parker and abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass.  This three-person bronze statue will be placed on the front grounds of the Bethel Historical Museum in April, 2026.

It is exciting to have both the mural being painted and the statue coming to Bethel to help us celebrate America 250 in 2026