250 & Counting

During the United States’ 250th anniversary year, explore how far the nation has come in its quest for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” and reflect on how it must continue to strive toward those ideals every single day.

Exhibition
illustrated owl at mailbox

Free To: Free From: A Mail Art Exhibition Exploring Freedoms

October 15, 2026 - January 18, 2027
Central Library
Are you free to act as you wish? Or are you free from something acting on you? For the Library's 250 & Counting series capstone exhibition, we asked people to respond to these questions by mail! How far have we come? How far do we still need to go? What freedoms do you treasure most? Is freedom really free?
Signature Event
Historical painting

Hollywood vs. History: The Patriot

Thursday, September 24, 2026 6:00pm
Plaza Branch
In Person
The Hollywood vs. History series returns to examine the key figures, uniforms, military maneuvers, and more in The Patriot with Mel Gibson.
Signature Event
France’s Role in the American Revolution Graphic

France’s Role in the American Revolution

Thursday, August 27, 2026 6:00pm
Central Library
Online
In Person
Jonathan Abel, associate professor of military history at the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, discusses the early relationship between France and the United States during the American Revolution.
Signature Event
To the Women Who Served header

'KMBC 9 Chronicle: To the Women Who Served'

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 6:00pm
Plaza Branch
In Person
KMBC 9 Anchor Donna Pitman moderates a discussion between former U.S. Army First Lieutenant Lou Eisenbrandt and retired Army Captain Hugh Mills about the contributions of female Vietnam veterans.
Signature Event
Signature Event

A View from a Bloody Borderland

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 6:00pm
Plaza Branch
Online
In Person
Jay Sexton, director of the Kinder Institute at MU, traces the region's history of violence, recovery, and ambition from Bloody Kansas through the Cold War.