THE BRONX CELEBRATES AMERICA 250

The area of today’s Bronx played a pivotal role in the founding of the United States—particularly in the battle of ideas. On the occasion of the 250th birthday of our Republic, The Bronx County Historical Society has a full slate of programs scheduled—at least one per month through 2026. Check this page to stay up to date on these programs and events. We hope you will celebrate with us.

EVENTS

  • gouverneur morris america250 lecture

    A Birthday Celebration of the Constitution's Penman, Gouverneur Morris

    Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 6:30pm
    Fordham Law School
    150 West 62nd Street
    Costantino Room, Second Floor
    New York, NY 10023

    Join The Bronx County Historical Society for the kickoff of its yearlong America 250 programming, commemorating our area’s role in the founding of the United States in 1776.

    Our Gouverneur Morris Endowed Lecture this year will be in celebration of the birthday of Founding Father and Bronxite Gouverneur Morris (b. Jan. 31) and will be delivered by William M. Treanor, Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Constitutional Law and Constitutional History and Dean Emeritus of Georgetown Law. The lecture is co-sponsored by Fordham School of Law and will be followed by a light reception.

    Register by clicking on the button below.

    Register
  • Thomas Paine lecture flyer on february 10

    Thomas Paine, Drafter of the Declaration of Independence

    Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 7:00pm
    Vladeck Hall, Amalgamated Housing Co-op
    74 Van Cortlandt Park S. (at Hillman Ave.)

    Join BCHS and Amalgamated Housing Co-op for a lecture by Gary Berton, President of the Thomas Paine Historical Association, on the contributions of Thomas Paine to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Well-known author of such influential works as “Common Sense” and “The American Crisis,” Paine also played a major role in shaping our nation’s founding document, as new manuscript evidence suggests.

    During the final years of his life, Thomas Paine lived in relative isolation on his farm in New Rochelle, a short distance from today’s Bronx. We are celebrating his pivotal role to our nation’s founding on the occasion of Paine’s birthday (Feb. 9) and America 250.

  • Cato: A Tragedy flyer

    Cato: A Tragedy

    Sunday, March 22, 2026, 2:00pm
    Edgehill
    2750 Independence Ave.
    The Bronx, NY 10463

    Join BCHS, the Kingsbridge Historical Society, and Van Cortlandt House Museum for a performance of “Cato: A Tragedy” by Live History. This play was among the most popular stage productions during the generation of America’s founding, and multiple Founding Fathers, including George Washington, were inspired by the play’s dramatization of commitment to liberty in times of tyranny.

    Reserve your free ticket by clicking on the button below.

    Reserve Tickets
  • the morris brothers book release flyer

    The Morris Brothers Book Release Party

    Thursday, April 9, 2026, 7:00pm
    The Bronx County Archives
    3313 Bainbridge Ave.
    The Bronx, NY 10467

    Join BCHS for a book release party for The Morris Brothers, the first volume of a new book series, “Bronx Civil Rights Icons.” The Morris Brothers contains biographical treatments of brothers Gouverneur and Lewis Morris, as well primary sources from each brother. The Morrises had a sprawling family estate, Morrisania, in today’s South Bronx. They embodied many of the contradictions of America’s founding: the older brother Lewis was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and remained a slave holder even after the American Revolution. His younger half-brother Gouverneur was the penman of the Constitution and was of the most ardent abolitionists of his era.

    The editor, Dr. Steven Payne, will offer brief remarks as part of the program. Books will be available for purchase, and light refreshments will be provided.

    The publication of this volume is made possible by the generous support of The Puffin Foundation.