Mayor Gavin Buckley Appoints 14 Members to the “Commission to Plan Celebrations for the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America”
ANNAPOLIS, MD – On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding. As a capital city in one of the 13 original colonies, the state of Maryland and the City of Annapolis played a pivotal role in the these events. As the City prepares for celebrations in two years, Mayor Gavin Buckley and the Annapolis City Council have approved the creation of an ad hoc commission to plan the City’s celebrations.
In 2023, the Annapolis City Council passed, and Mayor Buckley signed, a City Council Resolution to create the “Commission to Plan Celebrations for the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America.” On March 11, 2024, 14 members of the public were confirmed to serve. They are:
- Ms. Julia Rose representing the residents of Annapolis
- Ms. Joann Vaughn representing the residents of Annapolis
- Alderwoman Karma O’Neill representing the Annapolis Mayor’s office
- Ms. Kristen Pironis representing Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
- Ms. Karen Brown representing Historic Annapolis, Inc.
- Ms. Martina Dodd representing Banneker-Douglass Museum
- Mr. Steve Adams representing Anne Arundel County
- Ms. Katie McDermott representing Maryland State Senate
- Ms. Kim Golder representing Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission
- Ms. Carol Benson representing Chesapeake Crossroads (formerly known as Four Rivers)
- Ms. Judy Buddensick representing the City of Annapolis business community.
- Ms. Tricia Sanborn representing the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
- Ms. Jackie Colman representing Maryland Hall
- Mr. Brent Everitt representing The National Parks Service.
Annapolis, settled in 1649 and chartered in 1708, was not only the capital of Maryland during the Revolutionary War, but also the site for the meeting of the First Continental Congress (1774); Annapolis was the location where the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Revolutionary War (1783); Annapolis was the temporary capital of the U.S. (1783 and 1784); and Annapolis was the site of the Constitutional Convention (1787).
“Over the next two years, I am confident this outstanding group will come up with amazing ideas so that Annapolis will have informative, diverse, and fun ways to celebrate the 250th birthday of the USA,” said Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. “I thank the volunteers for their time and energy and I can’t wait to see what they come up with!”
Learn more about Maryland 250 statewide efforts at mdtwofifty.maryland.gov.
Please note that members of the commission do not receive compensation.
