FOWLER — The Fowler Historical Society is the latest group preparing to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 with a kickoff planned in late November.

The society members have been planning events in the community and at the Butts Family Museum to mark the milestone. The society over the summer hosted its annual basket raffle and community antique car and tractor show.

Denise Rising, secretary to the society, said this year there were nearly 300 items up for bid.

She said there also was a record number of cars being shown.

Rising said every month in 2026 a different event to mark the 250th anniversary of the nation will take place in Fowler.

Planning meetings take place at the Fowler community center. Rising said the society is collecting family stories from local residents.

She said a Fowler Talks event is set 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 8 at the Fowler Community Center where people can share their stories of living in Fowler.

“We made sure that Fowler was going to be a 250th community,” she said.

She said the official kickoff will be Nov, 22 during the annual Fowler Christmas Walk, with the township hall and Butts Family Museum both opened.

“We have always had large crowds for the Christmas Walk and showcase the remodeled town hall,” Rising said.

In 2024, Fowler celebrated its 225th anniversary with events, displays and programs coordinated by the historical society.

Braceville, Bristol and Girard are among the Trumbull County communities also planning 250th events for 2026. Braceville already has begun their events.

Margaret Rising, a historical society member, said basket raffle proceeds are used for scholarships and maintenance of the historic Butts Museum, but there are plans to use some for 250th anniversary events.

“The basket raffle has always been a popular event to raise funds for the museum and scholarships. It has grown each year with more and more items. The public has always liked to have an end-of-summer event,” Rising said.

She said she likes the event because it brings the community together.

“It is a chance to see people. This may be the only time I see them each year,” Rising said.

Rising said the basket raffle and car show, which has been held for 21 years, allow the society to give two $1,000 scholarships to Mathews High School graduates.

Touring the museum during the event was Catreese Discerni of Warren, who said she has heard co-workers and other people talk about the Butts Family Museum in Fowler so she decided to come and see it.

“This is the first time I have seen the inside. I can’t believe all that is here,” Discerni said.

Taking Discerni on a tour of the museum was Elizabeth DeJean of Fowler.

“I point out to the visitors the interesting items that we have here,” she said.