More Programs

“Two Lights Montana” is a statewide initiative aimed at encouraging Montanans to engage in a year of learning, civic participation, and community service during the Semiquincentennial of the United States. The initiative officially launched on Monday, May 4, 2026 as a partnership between the Montana 250th Commission, the Office of Governor Greg Gianforte, and the Governor’s Office of Community Service/ServeMontana.

Inspired by Paul Revere’s ride and the two lights signal from the Old North Church in 1775, the initiative is built on three central pillars: Learn, Engage, and Serve.

The Learn phase calls on Montanans to learn more about American history by exploring foundational texts and visiting landmarks like the Montana Heritage Center, local history museums, or other points of historical interest across the state.

The Engage phase encourages Montanans to participate in local government by attending public meetings, whether in person or online, including city and county commissions, school boards, or legislative Interim committee meetings.

The final pillar, Serve, asks Montanans to serve their community through volunteer opportunities, culminating in “Montana Makes a Difference Day” on October 24, 2026. On this day, citizens are asked to dedicate time to a community service organization, by volunteering at a local food bank, church, or other organization. Other opportunities exist during the final quarter of 2026 to engage in service, including on Veterans Day in November and by participating in Wreaths Across America in December.

At its core, Two Lights Montana is designed to bring Montanans together. To help us promote and document this initiative, we are asking all Montanans to participate in each phase of Two Lights Montana and then document their experiences on social media.

Use the hashtag #TwoLightsMT and tag the Montana 250 and ServeMontana Facebook pages. We want to document, share, and promote what all Montanans learn, experience, and do.

Finally, please post your photos AND a summary of your actions. Tell us what surprised you most when you visited a museum or historic site. Tell us all about your interaction with your local county commissioners, school board, or legislative Interim Committee. Tell us all about the great work you did volunteering with others to clean up a park, help an elderly neighbor, or serve as an election judge. THIS is what civic engagement is all about. THIS is how to maximize the privilege of citizenship. Let’s use this year to document our experiences and leave behind a record for future generations.

The Montana 250th Commission and the Montana Historical Society are hosting a year-along series of virtual events designed to build excitement around the United States's 250th birthday in 2026. "Montana Reads: The Treasure State's Book Club" is a monthly online book discussion that will cover exciting topics and figures from United States, Montana, and Tribal history.

Each month, a member of the Montana 250th Commission will lead a presentation and discussion on books that explore myriad aspects of our shared history - from the Founding Fathers to Montana statesmen and women, cultural traditions to amazing innovation. These monthly discussions will feature conversations around the books' central themes, seeking applications to current challenges and initiatives facing our state and nation. Montanans are encouraged to participate in any and all of these events that they find interesting, and where possible to read the book in advance.

The Montana 250th Commission is excited to share these stories with all Montanans and will be bringing in special guests where possible to further bring this history to life. Events will be held on Zoom each second Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30pm.

Register via the links for each event on our events calendar page: Events Calendar.

Please email laura.marsh@mt.gov for any issues with registering and receiving the link for Book Club events.

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Upcoming Book Club Events:

Thurs., Jun. 11 ~ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Minutemen and Their World, by Robert A. Gross

Thurs., Aug. 13 ~ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Facing East from Indian Country, by Daniel Richter

September

Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment, by Allen Guelzo

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Previous Book Club Events:

Thurs., Jun. 11 ~ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Minutemen and Their World, by Robert A. Gross

Thurs., May 14 ~ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

One Vast Winter Count: The Native American West before Lewis and Clark, by Colin G. Calloway

“The Montana Tapestry: People and Places from 1776 to Today”

This traveling interpretive exhibit commemorates the upcoming semiquincentennial, educates the public on lesser-known history, people and places of Montana, and highlights Montana's changing cultural, social and physical landscapes from 1776 to today.

Where is the Montana Tapestry? Click HERE to find out!

View further information from the exhibit here: Montana Tapestry Exhibit.

To request the exhibit to display at your facility, visit: Montana Tapestry Request.

MT 250 will work with nine exemplary construction-skills high schools, one in each of the MASS (MT Association of School Superintendents) regions, to purchase supplies locally and produce a nine slogan roadway sign sets which school reps will erect working with landowners in their county. Modeled after the successful 1950s Burma Shave signs that used a series of advertising slogans along roadways, the goal is to have at least one Montana 250 slogan erected in each county during the fall of 2025.

In conjunction with the Montana Congressional delegation, the Montana 250th Commission is participating in a year-long initiative entitled “Montana Innovators,” featuring monthly spotlights on Montanans of note – both current day and historical figures – worthy of recognition as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. “Montana Innovators” features short statements in the Congressional Record that help Montanans learn more about individuals who have accomplished great things, made significant contributions to society, and left Montana and America in a better place. Each month, the Commission has chosen a theme or category to focus on; the calendar is as follows:

January: Health, Wellness, and Sports 

February: Mining

March: Agriculture and Food

April: News and Media

May: Public Safety, Justice, and Law Enforcement

June: Transportation

July: Arts, Culture, and Literature

August: Natural Resources and Timber Management

September: Education and Academia

October: Manufacturing and Industry

November: Military Service and National Defense

December: Technology and Innovation


May 2026

Sen. Daines - Trooper Lewis Johnson
Sen. Sheehy - Fallen Montana Peace Officers
Rep. Downing - Andrew Yedniak
Rep. Zinke - Sheriff Dan Springer

June 2026

Sen. Daines - Walter Breuning
Sen. Sheehy - Cromwell Dixon
Rep. Downing - Nick Turner
Rep. Zinke - Cam Sholly

To view the Event Sponsorship Winners click HERE!

The program’s funding application cycle has closed. The awarded organizations will be notified and announced publicly in a press release in April.

Description text The Montana 250th Commission is proud to announce the launch of the grant program to support statewide commemorative projects ahead of America's 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. The Montana 250 Grant Program will award up to $400,000 to organizations across the state working to deepen understanding of Montana's history, culture, and heritage in connection with the nation's semiquincentennial.

The MT 250 Grant Application cycle closed Oct. 30, 2025. To view the grant winners, visit: MT 250 Grant Winners.

Two programs aimed at 4th-12th grade students:

1. A Montana History poster contest for students 4-5th grades: $3,000

2. Three Montana history-themed student research prizes for students 6-12th grade: $1,500

3. Montana Civics Bee

4. Montana Challenge

Project Description:

In collaboration with National History Day in Montana (NHD MT)—an established academic program serving students 4-12th grades—the MT 250 Commission (MT 250) requests $4,500 to support programs to boost student engagement with Montana history through research, analysis, and presentation at local, state, and national levels.

Applications to receive the Seal of Civics Literacy are due to OPI by May 1, 2026. 

To earn the Seal students must: 

• complete the OPI's version of the U.S. Naturalization (USCIS) test with a score of 80% or higher.

• complete the required .5 credits of Civics courses during high school as approved by the Board of Public Education.

• EITHER perform 40 hours of community service OR perform 20 hours of community service while also passing the Montana Challenge test created by the Montana Historical Society, the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers, and the Montana 250th Commission.

Students will need to register for the program (or a teacher can register an entire class), after which links will be sent to take the tests

To register or find study materials click here!

Montana Warriors was a panel exhibit created by the Montana Historical Society. The original panels were well loved and needed replacing. With the help of the Montana 250 Commission, a new set of Montana Warriors have been printed!

Montana Native Warriors is a traveling exhibit honoring the contribution of the Indigenous warriors who have participated in every conflict the United States has engaged in since World War I. The seven-panel pop-up banner exhibit provides background on the cultural systems of the Northern Plains that emphasize valor, respect and a deep commitment to protecting family and community, and shares stories and pictures that celebrate the men and women who served in the military and on the home front.

Where is the Montana Native Warriors Exhibit? Click HERE!

In collaboration with National History Day in Montana (NHD MT)—an established academic program serving students 4-12th grades—the MT 250 Commission (MT 250) requests $4,500 to support programs to boost student engagement with Montana history through research, analysis, and presentation at local, state, and national levels.