USA 250
In 2026, our nation will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Beginning in 2025, the Village of Addison will launch a series of initiatives to make local residents, organizations and businesses aware of this approaching commemoration and to encourage their participation in the marking of America’s Semiquincentennial.
For those of you who experienced the pageantry of the nation’s Bicentennial back in 1976, you remember the year-long fanfare of celebratory events. In Addison alone, there were flag raisings, memorial and building dedications, concerts and drama productions, dance recitals and film festivals and art and poetry contests.
Addison has formed a committee comprised of community stakeholders to start planning organizational and community-wide activities.
**NEW**-Check out USA250 events by going to the Village of Addison Calendar page and searching the USA250 Calendar. Or follow this link.
GET YOUR FREE ADDISON USA 250 CAN KOOZIE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
Visit the museum and pick up your free can koozie to commemorate Addison's celebration of America 250!
ROUTE 20 CENTENNIAL
On November 11, 2026, the U.S. Federal Highway System will be celebrating its centennial anniversary. Lake Street in Addison is also U.S. Route 20. The federal highway spans the continental United States from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Pacific. It is the country's longest federal highway at 3,365 miles in length and crosses 12 states. The route begins in Boston, Massachusetts and traverses the rolling hills of New England, the beautiful countryside of the N.Y. Finger Lakes region, the scenic landscape of the Great Lakes, the wide open lands of the Great Plains, the majestic Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range to the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Newport Oregon.In Addison, the route was originally a Native American trail, and in the 1830's, a major stagecoach route linking Chicago and Galena. By the turn of the century, its was also known as the Chicago-Elgin, or Elgin Road. In 1922, Lake St. was first paved, and in 1926, it officially became part of the newly implemented federal highway system. In 1955, the State of Illinois designated the road "The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Highway". In December 2024, former President Biden designated the entire route "The Medal of Honor" highway.
The museum currently has two displays about Route 20. Historic US Route 20 is a permanent exhibit in the museum building and examines the Road's national and local history through images and objects.
Route 20 Turns 100! is a temporary case installation inside the Village Hall Rotunda and will be on view through 2026, the historic roadway's centennial anniversary.
Get your free Route 20 Centennial Bookmark by visiting the Addison Historical Museum. while supplies last!
ROUTE 20 COLLABORATION
The Elmhurst, Addison, Bartlett and Elgin Museums have formed a collaboration to mark the centennial of Route 20. You can learn more about the history of the portion of Lake St./Route 20 from Elmhurst to Elgin by watching the video linked here.
