Montco launching ‘America250’ photo contest to celebrate semiquincentennial, includes kids category

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July 9th, 2023 | By Ryan Genova

Montgomery County has launched a photo contest of its historic sites in the lead up to America’s 250th Anniversary and Semiquincentennial in July 2026.

The contest is open to all Montgomery County residents, including a special category for kids ages 10-18. To qualify, photographs must be taken at a County, state, or national historical site, historical marker, and/or park in Montgomery County.

“Beginning our celebration with a photo contest is a great way to get folks involved and in the spirit of celebrating all the ways our County has contributed to the nation’s history,” said Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. “We want this commemoration to be a collaborative and inclusive effort bringing together everyone in our County.”

The contest has three categories:

  • Youth: We encourage Montco residents ages 10-18 to get out, explore, and take a picture at a historical site to capture something they find interesting. Entries must be submitted on behalf of the young photographer by a parent or guardian.
  • Historical Elements: Capture a photo of the unique architectural, art, technology, or cultural element from a historical site. Open to ages 19 and up.
  • Natural Beauty: Photographers entering this category should be looking to find that perfect shot of anything that captures nature’s beauty at one of the historical sites. Open to ages 19 and up.

Entries are limited to one per household, per category. The deadline to submit photos is noon on August 7, 2023.

Entrants may email the completed form and photo to a250photo@montgomerycountypa.gov. The entry form is available online here.

A panel of America250PA Montgomery County judges will convene to identify five images in each category. Then, the public will vote to determine a winner. Winners will be recognized at a County Board of Commissioners meeting in September 2023.

America250 is a multiyear effort led at the national level by the non-partisan U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, created by Congress, and its supporting nonprofit, America250 Foundation.

To stay informed and learn about ways to get involved, watch the County’s social media and visit the America250 PA Montgomery County site here.