The allen county museum will create a new, permanent exhibition on the eight U.S. Presidents from ohio that will open in 2026 as part of the america 250 celebrations

The Allen County Museum and Historical Society received a $211,009 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301), awarded October 1, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2026. The primary deliverable is a new permanent exhibition on Ohio's eight U.S. Presidents, scheduled to open in 2026 as part of the America 250 celebrations. The museum will develop curriculum-aligned educational programming in collaboration with local school teachers to ensure alignment with Ohio state standards, directly serving 27 local schools and approximately 1,750 annual student visitors, with particular focus on fourth-grade and high school students.

In addition to the core exhibition, the project will expand accessibility through supplementary programming components and materials designed for engagement with the aging community, including outreach materials for assisted living and nursing centers. The Museum for America program supports project-based efforts across museums of all sizes to strengthen public service through exhibitions, educational programming, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities. This award reflects IMLS's investment in strategic institutional projects that generate measurable results aligned with the awardee's strategic plan and address identified community needs.

The project will also include expanded programs and components that add to the exhibition's accessibility. The museum's primary audience for this work will be the 27 local schools and 1,750 students who tour each year, focusing particularly on fourth grade and high school students. Working with a core group of elementary and high school teachers, the museum will identify curriculum needs that allow the exhibition programming to fit their classroom guidelines and ohio state standards. Additionally, the museum will develop materials that can be brought to assisted living and nursing centers, helping to engage with the aging community.