Merced County Courthouse Museum will open the “America 250 – Merced County” exhibit on Thursday, June 25, at 5 p.m. This exhibit commemorates the U.S. Bisesquicentennial, celebrating a remarkable journey from 1776 to 2026, and offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of U.S. history, California’s evolution, and the unique story of Merced County. This exhibit spotlights the towns that are integral parts of Merced County and explores how their identities, as well as what defines us as Americans, have evolved. Along the way, you will see the rich cultural life, the booming business sectors, the evolution in farming, the expansion of the educational system, and the legacy of our military history. At the exhibition opening on June 25, there will be a patriotic celebration on the front steps. Merced County Board of Supervisors Chairman Daron McDaniel will give a brief speech, and Judge Brian McCabe will read the “Declaration of Independence.” The program will end with a few patriotic tunes performed by the Bear Creek Ukulele Society. The Courthouse dome will be lit up in red, white, and blue from June 25 to July 5. For more information, please contact the Museum Office at (209) 723-2401.