What to watch: Midland’s museums, historic homes, veterans organizations, and historical groups are joining forces for a citywide History Day on Saturday, June 13, as part of Midland Celebrates. The free event features nearly a dozen programs across Midland highlighting American history, local heritage, military service, aviation, and West Texas culture.

Midland Celebrates is a collaboration between the City of Midland and the Midland Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

The big picture: History Day is one of several themed celebrations leading up to Midland’s Star-Spangled Salute on July 4. The event brings together Midland’s various historical organizations, including the Bush Family Home, Midland County History Museum, Midland Historical Society, High Sky Wing, Basin PBS, Arts Council of Midland, Daughters of the American Revolution, and others.

“I am thrilled to be involved with the city-wide celebrations of our nation’s 250th birthday,” Judy Canon, regent of the Colonel Theunis Dey Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said. “All the historical groups are thrilled to be involved. The networking among these groups has been an inspiration to behold.”

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  • Blast from the American Past: Join the Bush Family Home State Historic Site for a day celebrating American history and the flag. Explore the historic home, view a display of American flags used throughout our nation’s 250-year history, make your own state flag, and learn the meaning behind the colors of the American flag.
    • Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    • Location: Bush Family Home State Historic Site, 1412 W. Ohio Ave.
  • Permian Basin Honor Flight: Learn about the Permian Basin Honor Flight program, which provides veterans with expense-free trips to Washington, D.C., to visit war memorials. The event will feature military memorabilia for sale and supplies to make thank-you cards for veterans.
    • Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    • Location: High Sky Wing of the CAF & Midland Army Air Field Museum, 9600 Wright Dr.
  • Opening the Doors to Colonial America: Step back in time with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Meet historical figures like Martha Washington, learn about colonial life, make colonial crafts, play colonial games, and listen to local students read essays about the Founding Fathers. You’ll even have the chance to sign your own copy of the Declaration of Independence.
    • Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    • Location: Midland Centennial Library, 2503 Loop 250 Frontage Rd.
  • Explore the Texas Pecos Trail Region: Discover the rich heritage of the Texas Pecos Trail Region at the Midland County History Museum. Learn about the 22 counties that make up this culturally diverse area filled with oil boom towns, sand dunes, ranches, forts, and state parks.
    • Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Location: Midland County History Museum, 200 N. Main St.
  • Oil, Aviation, & Victory in WWII: Explore the role Midland played during World War II at the High Sky Wing and Midland Army Air Field Museum. Tour a Beech AT-11 bombardier training plane, sit in the bombardier seat, and learn about the Midland Army Air Field Bombardier School. Vintage warbirds and special exhibits will also be on display.
    • Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Program begins at 11 a.m.)
    • Location: High Sky Wing of the CAF & Midland Army Air Field Museum, 9600 Wright Dr.
  • Persistent History: One Family’s Journey in West Texas: Get an exclusive look inside the historic Scarborough House (built circa 1906). Take guided tours and learn about the Scarborough and Linebery families. Families can also enjoy a sculpture garden scavenger hunt.
    • Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Tours begin at 1 p.m.)
    • Location: Scarborough House, 802 S. Main St.
  • Midland History: From 7000 BCE to the Present: Take a journey through Midland’s history at the Midland County History Museum. Docents will guide you through exhibits covering Paleo-Indian times, early ranching days, the oil boom, World War II, and Midland’s growth into a major energy and cultural center.
    • Time: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Location: Midland County History Museum, 200 N. Main St.
  • Journey Back in Time to 1900: Step inside the Historic Brown-Dorsey Home and experience what life was like in Midland 126 years ago. The house is furnished as it was when the Brown family lived there in 1900. Learn about daily life, gingerbread architecture, and how people lived without modern conveniences.
    • Time: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Location: Historic Brown-Dorsey Home, 213 N. Weatherford St.
  • Ken Burns’s The American Revolution: Military History Screening & Social: Join Basin PBS at the historic Ritz Theater for a special screening of excerpts from Ken Burns’s documentary The American Revolution. Enjoy complimentary Liberty Tea and popcorn, participate in Revolutionary War trivia, and learn about the military history that shaped our nation.
    • Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Doors open at 2 p.m., screening begins at 3 p.m.)
    • Location: Ritz Theater, 203 N. Main St.
    • RSVP: HERE
  • Haley Memorial Library Open House: Explore how Western history is preserved and shared at the Haley Memorial Library & History Center. Visitors can tour the newly completed Holt Research Center, view Western fine art and historical artifacts, and learn about the collections assembled by noted historian J. Evetts Haley.
    • Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Location: The Haley Memorial Library & History Center, 1805 W. Indiana Ave.
  • Summer Mummers: Treachery at the Tea Party: Celebrate a longstanding Midland tradition with Midland Community Theatre’s 78th season of Summer Mummers. This year’s production ties into the theater’s America250-themed season, Becoming America: The Stories That Make Us.
    • Time: 7:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Location: Midland Community Theatre, 208 N. Colorado St.

What’s next: Mark your calendar for Arts & Culture Day on June 20 and STEM Day on June 27, building toward Midland’s annual Star-Spangled Salute on July 4. Every Midland Celebrates America 250 event is free and open to the public