Marking the Moment: Centennials, Bicentennials & Beyond

As Americans mark the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, communities across the country are reflecting on their history, identity, and future. In this presentation, Kyle Sater, Curator at the Studebaker National Museum, explores how earlier generations celebrated major national milestones—from the excitement of the Centennial Exposition in 1876 to the patriotic festivities surrounding the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976 and beyond. Using South Bend as a case study, the program examines how local communities commemorated these anniversaries through parades, pageants, monuments, and civic celebrations. Attendees will also discover how companies like Studebaker utilized its own important milestones—and national anniversaries—to showcase innovation, craftsmanship, and community pride. Featuring historic photographs, artifacts, stories from the museum’s collections, this presentation places the semiquincentennial within a broader historical tradition, revealing how generations of Americans have used anniversaries to honor the past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future.
ABOUT SPEAKER SERIES
The Studebaker Museum Speaker Series, presented by the Campisi Family Education Fund, is held in the Wiekamp Auditorium. Regular Speaker Series admission is $2. Regular admission fees apply to tour the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum. Studebaker National Museum and Campus members are admitted free!