As America approaches 250 years since its founding, Fondren Library kicks off the America250@Fondren program in January 2026 to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by exploring the complexity of American history. Click here to learn more about the program: America250@Fondren.
The program is a cross-library collaboration and will be updated here monthly throughout the year of 2026. Keep reading to explore our January kickoff events and activities.
Should you have any questions about this engagement program, ways to integrate these events and activities, to enrich your teaching and programs, or want to learn about opportunities to get involved, please contact Anna Xiong, Head of Kelley Center for Government Information and Civic Engagement, at jax2@rice.edu or email ask@rice.libanswers.com.
2026 America250@Fondren Planning Committee: Anna Xiong, Abby Stovall, Norie Guthrie, Portia Hopkins, Jeanette Sewell, Jordan Traylor, and Sean Smith. Executive advisors: Sara Lowman, Lisa Spiro and Cindy Pierard. Campus partner: Access and Institutional Excellence / Avery Hartwell, Associate Director of Student Engagement.
February Events, Resources, and Activities
Call for Poster Submissions - Rice Data & Research Showcase Event
2026 Theme: Explore American History Through Data: Past, Present, and Future
· Poster submission starts February 2026.
· Deadline: 11:59 PM, Sunday, May 17, 2026
· The opening gathering date: early October 2026 (TBD), at Fondren Library
· Poster Submission Form: https://forms.gle/REvZucZyhAxJJ55S7
· Contact: Anna Xiong, jax2@rice.edu or Sean Smith mrsmith@rice.edu
Kelley Center for Government Information and Civic Engagement
Fondren Basement, Across Kelley Center Information Desk
Display: Documenting America: Black History in Government Records (February 9-28)
From laws and reports to statistics and public programs, government publications offer critical evidence of Black history in the United States. This exhibit features the history and development of the Federal agency - U.S. Commission of Civic Rights, how it has recorded, shaped, and responded to Black experiences over time. The exhibit was curated by Kelley Center for Government Information and Civic Engagement.
Also Read new Kelley Center blog article: Black History in Government Records: Featuring U.S. Commission on Civic Rights 1957-Present
Fondren Basement, Near the entrance of the Digital Media Commons
Display: Civic Duty and the American Dream
This exhibit highlights civic life in 19th-century America, featuring Congressional hearings, Senator speeches, and historical civic education lesson plans. Learn about the historical roots of American democracy and reflect on your role as a citizen. The exhibit was curated by Kelley Center for Government Information and Civic Engagement.
Reflection Questions:
- How were civic duties taught and promoted in the 1800s?
- How does early civic education compare with your civic education?
- What lessons from the past can we apply today?
- Do you see a return to 19th century civic education in the near future?
- How does civic education turn into civic engagement?
Fondren Basement, Across Kelley Center Information Desk
Activity 1: "Favorite Black Media" Board. Join Us for Fun! (February 9-28)
Instructions: Write your favorite black movie, music, or art and why on the sticky notes & post it.
Fondren Basement, Across Kelley Center Information Desk
Activity 2: "Heritage/Visit": Push Pin Map. Join Us for Fun! (February 9-28)
Instructions:
Red Pins: Where your heritage originates
Green pins: where you’d like to visit
Also check out these featured online resource guides for Black History studies:
Black History-Government Resources
Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938
Standing Activities
- Fondren Library Civics Reading Group to continue the conversation. Use this online form or email jax2@rice.edu to join the forthcoming Fondren Library Civics Reading Group to continue the conversation, join its email list, receive event updates, or request more information.
- Nomination Opportunity: You are invited to submit nominations through this online form for one or more landmark government documents that have significantly shaped or influenced the history of the United States, the Greater Houston area, Harris County, and/or the State of Texas.
Woodson Special Collections
Original Video Products
Everything Is Hard, Before It's Easy
Created by Dr. Portia Hopkins, University Historian, Rice University Woodson Research Center. Click the title to watch.
Your Potential is limitless. Go after it.
Created by Dr. Portia Hopkins, University Historian, Rice University Woodson Research Center. Click the title to watch. It features Mr. Shirley Dacamara, '26.
Fondren First Floor, Main Hallway
Birds of America
This exhibit highlights state birds, which are drawn from our John James Audubon "Birds of America" plates. The exhibit is curated by Amelia Davis, a longtime student worker from Woodson.
Fondren First Floor, Front Cases near the Quad Entrance
Party in the U.S.A.: Political Conventions
This exhibit focuses on political conventions, more specifically the RNC, DNC, and the 1948 Progressive Party.
Fondren First Floor, Flat Cases outside of Woodson
Voting Doesn’t Hurt Women: Letters from the Men’s League for Woman Suffrage (New York)
This exhibit features historical letters from supportive governors advocating for women’s suffrage. It provides a fascinating look at the political and social strategies behind securing the right to vote.
Fondren First Floor, Room 156
Fight for Your Right to Protest: Celebrating the 1st Amendment
This exhibit celebrates the First Amendment through photographs and memorabilia showcasing diverse forms of protest throughout American history. Visitors can explore the ways individuals and groups have exercised their rights to free speech, assembly, and activism.
Fondren 6th Floor Exhibit Space
A Selection of Political Cartoons from C.P. Houston
Clyde Peterson, known as C.P. Houston, drew for the Houston Chronicle from 1965 to 2006. This exhibit features original Bristol board drawings covering national and local politics, offering insight into American public discourse and political satire.
RMC, First Floor – Ballroom Exhibit Space
The Also Rans: A Look Back at Those Who Lost Their Elections
Explore the flyers, pins, bumper stickers, and campaign materials of local and national candidates who didn’t win. This exhibit highlights the stories and artifacts of political campaigns that shaped history in unexpected ways.
Join Us!
These exhibits and activities are just the beginning of America250@Fondren. We invite all members of the Rice community to learn, explore, reflect, and engage with history, democracy, and civic life throughout the year.