7/22/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The project is one of 61 community-based projects funded through the America 250-Ohio Commission’s second round of grants totaling $600,000
Cleveland, Ohio (July 22, 2024) – In the lead up to America’s 250th anniversary, Administrative Judge Diane M. Palos announced today the Domestic Relations Court received a Trillium Local Activity Grant from the America 250-Ohio Commission for its upcoming project titled, The Time Capsule Semiquincentennial Commemoration Project. The project will serve to commemorate the importance of the Ohio judiciary and celebrate the anniversary of our Founding Fathers adopting the Declaration of Independence.
In 2026, the United States will celebrate its Semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each state has been encouraged to create a celebration and commemoration of this anniversary to reflect the unique character and contributions of each state to the nation over the past 250 years. Ohio is fully embracing this opportunity. The Ohio Commission for the Semiquincentennial (aka America 250-Ohio Commission or AM250-OH) was created by the Ohio legislature and launched on March 1, 2022. The charge of the AM250-OH Commission is to “…to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.” — Ohio Revised Code (149.309).
“The Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court is honored to have been selected for a Trillium Local Activity Grant, allowing us to develop a meaningful project rooted in Ohio’s rich judicial history and looking forward to its future,” said Judge Palos.
The Trillium Local Activity Grants offer up to $5,000 for projects with a local or community-wide impact. These projects may include exhibitions, interpretative panels, local commemorative programs or activities, local public events, educational, public programs, and smaller digital and documentary media projects. The Domestic Relations Court will fill a time capsule, to be opened on the 500th Anniversary of America on July 4, 2276, with letters from the current Ohio courts to future courts, photographs of Ohio historic courthouses, and memorabilia reflective of the history and impact of the Ohio judiciary. Community members will be invited to submit a digital note about aspirations for Ohio and America’s future for possible inclusion in the time capsule.
“The America 250-Ohio Commission congratulates the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court on this grant award. Their efforts in educating the public and honoring Ohio’s illustrious history are deeply appreciated,” said Doug Preisse, co-chair of the America 250-Ohio Commission. “As we near America’s 250th anniversary, these projects will play an essential role in elevating our state’s history and bolstering our communities' efforts to execute impactful initiatives during such a monumental celebration.”
The Domestic Relations Court was one of the 61 recipients chosen from the more than 170 statewide applications during the grant program’s spring 2024 funding cycle. In total, America 250-Ohio, awarded approximately $600,000 in grants to communities and organizations across Ohio as part of the commission’s second funding cycle. Combined with the approximately $400,000 in grants awarded in January 2024, the America 250-Ohio Commission grants program has worked with Ohio Humanities to distribute $1 million in grants to 84 organizations across the state. The grant program was designed to showcase the achievements, struggles, honors, innovations and significance of all people in Ohio since before its founding to the present day. Themes identified for Ohio’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary programming include:
● Celebrations and Signature Events: Impacting tourism and economic development
● Ohio Originals: Highlighting points of pride and unity
● Engaging Youth and Lifelong Learners: Education and scholarship
● Inclusive Statewide Engagement: Museums, arts and culture
● Telling Ohio Stories: Highlighting stories of Ohioans past and present
For more information on the Domestic Relations Court visit https://domestic.cuyahogacounty.us/. To learn more about the America 250-Ohio Commission’s grants program visit America250-Ohio.org/grants/.
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Media Contact:
Susan Sweeney
Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court
sksweeney@cuyahogacounty.us