Eric Michelson, left, and Jerry Michelson tell their family’s story to the America250 crew. Michelson’s Shoes opened in downtown Lexington in 1919 when Isadore “I.J.” Michelson, their great-grandfather and an immigrant from the Latvian-Lithuanian border, bought out his cousin’s harness and shoe repair business. (Photo Courtesy Lex250) Lex250 Chair Mona Roy shares her American story with the America250 crew. (Photo Courtesy Lex250) Town and state officials, along with representatives of LexSeeHer, the Lexington Minute Men, and William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps, pose in front of the LexSeeHer monument. (Photo Courtesy Lex250) Members of the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps open the ceremonies. (Photo Courtesy Lex250) Lexington and state officials welcome America250. From left, Economic Development Director Sandhya Iyer, Deputy Town Manager Kelly Axtell, Select Board Member Doug Lucente, Lex250 Chair Mona Roy, and Massachusetts 250 Coordinator Sheila Green. (Photo Courtesy Lex250)
LEXINGTON — The Lex250 Commission proudly hosted the kickoff of America250’s Our American Story nationwide storytelling tour on Saturday, offering Lexington residents and visitors to share their stories about the nation.
“Nothing is more fitting than having this event here, the birthplace of American liberty, and where it all began,” Select Board Member Doug Lucente said.
During the tour America250 is collecting personal stories from residents across the country at its “Our American Story” trailer. America250 hopes to create the largest-ever archive of oral and visual histories in U.S. history. Stories will be preserved at the Library of Congress and shared through digital and media platforms in the lead-up to the nation’s birthday.
America250 was welcomed to Lexington by Board Member Lucente, Lex250 Chair Mona Roy, Deputy Town Manager Kelly Axtell, Economic Development Director Sandhya Iyer, and Massachusetts 250 Coordinator Sheila Green.
“We’re honored that America250 chose Lexington to begin collecting stories about the American experience,” Lex250 Commission Chair Mona Roy said. “We’re proud to be the birthplace of this nation. It’s not a one-time thing. Lexington has wonderful groups that celebrate every part of our American identity. We continue the revolution every day.”
“This is an opportunity for the average American to tell their story, and what America means to them,” Green said. “We look forward to sharing our history, in Lexington and beyond.”
The William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps performed patriotic songs, while representatives of the Lexington Minute Men and LexSeeHer were on hand to share their groups’ roles in the evolution of America.
The Lex250 Commission is working on a series of monthly signature events to celebrate both the Town and the many people and organizations that have contributed to its place in American history.
About the Lex250 Commission
The Lex250 Commission was established by the Lexington Select Board to make recommendations and coordinate activities that celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington – the first battle of the American Revolution – and other events related to the founding of our country. The Commission continues to plan Town events, including the 2026 battle re-enactment in April and the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026.
About America250
The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission was established by Congress in 2016 to plan and orchestrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Appointed by the House and Senate leadership of both parties, the nonpartisan Commission is composed of 16 private citizens, four U.S. Representatives and four Senators, as well as 12 ex-officio members from all three branches of the federal government and its independent agencies.
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