April 19, 2026
In 2026, the United States will mark an extraordinary milestone—250 years since the nation’s founding during the American Revolution era. Known as the United States Semiquincentennial, the anniversary will bring celebrations, commemorations, and community projects across the country. While many national festivities will take place around Independence Day in July, in Fayetteville, community members are gathering this spring to begin stitching together a unique quilt project that connects Washington counties from across the United States.
A Quilt Connecting Washington Counties Across America
To honor the 250th anniversary of the United States, Washington Counties across the country are collaborating on a unique tribute: a nationwide commemorative quilt.
Each participating county is creating a 12-by-12-inch quilt square. The designs reflect the spirit, history, and identity of the communities they represent. While every square tells a different story, the larger goal is to weave them together into a single narrative celebrating the legacy of George Washington—his leadership, character, and patriotism.
The idea is simple but powerful: individual communities contributing pieces of their heritage to form a shared work of art representing the nation’s collective story.
An Idea Born on the Open Road
The project began with an unexpected moment of inspiration.
Tim Reavis, a transportation planner with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission in Washington County, Arkansas, first imagined the collaboration during a summer road trip.
“I conceived of the idea during a cross-country road trip to North Carolina last summer while traveling for Independence Day. I drove through Washington County, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. I wondered how many ‘Washington Counties’ existed,” Reavis said. “It turns out there are 30 counties and 1 parish (thank you Louisiana!). I thought it would be fun if they all collaborated for the 250th since George Washington is such an inspirational figure in American history.”
That curiosity quickly grew into a nationwide collaboration bringing together 30 counties and one parish named for America’s first president.
A Traveling Piece of American History
As the quilt takes shape, it’s already becoming something special. Once completed, the finished piece will travel the country to each of the counties, giving each community the chance to see their local contribution as part of the larger story.
Because each square is handcrafted and represents a distinct community, the final quilt will be more than just a commemorative item—it will be a historic collaborative work of art marking America’s 250th anniversary.
Across participating counties, several city councils and county commissions are passing formal resolutions endorsing the project, reflecting the enthusiasm and pride behind the effort.
Reavis says working with people across the country has been one of the most rewarding parts of the project. Communities, he’s discovered, are eager to contribute to something bigger than themselves.
Join the Quilt-Making Event in Fayetteville
Residents and visitors in Fayetteville, Arkansas will have the chance to see the project come together at a special community event this spring.
Quilters will gather at the Walker-Stone House—a historic site in Washington County—to begin stitching the individual squares into the larger quilt. Visitors are welcome to stop by, meet local quilters, and watch the project come together.
The event will take place:
April 19
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The afternoon will feature a drop-in, open-house style gathering with light refreshments available. At 3:00 p.m., attendees can hear directly from Tim Reavis during a short commemorative program where he will discuss the project and its national significance.
A Celebration of Community and Country
As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, communities are finding creative ways to celebrate their shared history.
From Northwest Arkansas to Washington counties across the country, each quilt square reflects the character of the place it represents. When they’re stitched together, they’ll create a traveling tribute to the communities helping tell America’s story.
