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. It is a nonpartisan nonpolitical educational and engagement program. 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 events and activities of this month.
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.
March Events, Resources, and Activities
New: Virtual National Panel Discussion
Wednesday March 18, noon - 1 PM, Central Time
2026 ALA GODORT Sunshine Week Virtual Panel Discussion:
Public Trust - Transparency, Information, and Democratic Engagement
Stay tuned: Registration will open soon!
Event Co-Chairs: Anna Xiong, jax2@rice.edu or Patty Takacs, patriciatakacs@ufl.edu
New: Fondren Library 3rd Floor, Brown Fine Arts Library
Thursday, March 26. Time: TBD.
A cappella Music Performance of early American composer’s works
Stay tuned—more event details coming soon!
Event contact: Keith Chapman, Music Librarian, kochpman@rice.edu
New: Fondren Basement, Kelley Center Information Desk
Friday, March 27, 1:00 PM. (First Come, First Serve)
Celebrating 59 Years of Service: Fondren Library in the Federal Depository Library Program (1967–2016)
Join us at the Kelley Center Information Desk for a slice of cake and get an America250@Fondren button! Starting at 1pm and help us celebrate Fondren Library’s service as a Federal Depository Library. Explore our exhibits to learn about the history of American document printing and distribution, the evolving FDLP resources and services, Fondren Library’s contributions to this strategic national program, and to reflect on its impact on democracy and what you can do today to support and help keep America informed.
Event contact: Anna Xiong, Head of Kelley Center/Sociology Liaison/FDLP Coordinator, jax2@rice.edu
New: Outdoor Between Fondren Library and Brochstein Pavilion
Friday, March 27, 1:00–2:30 PM
Pop-Up Craft Event: Make a Bookmark with Historical Primary Sources
Come hang out with Fondren Library and make a bookmark using historical primary sources! We'll have stickers, charms, and pens for you to craft a new placeholder for your spring reads.
Event contact: Abby Stovall, Political Science Librarian, as622@rice.edu
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
· If you’re not sure whether your project fits or have any other questions, contact: Anna Xiong / Kelley Center for Government Information, jax2@rice.edu or Sean Smith / Research Data Services, mrsmith@rice.edu
Kelley Center for Government Information and Civic Engagement
New: Fondren Basement, Map Room
Wall Exhibit: Texas and Houston from 1850–2026: Maps, Atlases, and Geopolitical History
This exhibit offers a deep dive into the cartographic evolution of our region. Curated by Kelley Center's own student staff member, Apollinaire Mendoza—a Sophomore studying Global Studies at Rice.
What to Expect at the exhibit:
Historical Depth: Trace the dramatic transformation of Rice University, the City of Houston, and Texas over 175 years.
Interactive Scholarship: Test your knowledge by answering a series of guided questions integrated into the display.
Geopolitical Insights: Explore how maps have shaped the identity of our state since the mid-19th century.
Coming Soon: Fondren Basement, Near Collaboration Room and FDLP Paper Stack
Wall Exhibit: Landmark U.S. Federal Documents, 1776–2026 (coming soon, stay tuned)
This exhibit highlights selected official landmark government documents that have shaped the United States. It is curated by Anna Xiong and Abby Stovall. Thanks to all librarians, staff, and students who have provided feedback. Thanks to Kelley Center student staff for the visual design.
- Nomination Opportunity: You are invited to visit the exhibit and continue nominating additional landmark U.S. Federal documents. You can 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. The results will be used for future exhibits, civics reading, events and activities. Thank you for your input!
Coming Soon: Fondren Basement, Across Kelley Center Information Desk
Display: Documenting America in Government Records: Keeping America Informed: From the Printing Press to the AI Era - from 1813 to Present (coming soon, stay tuned)
This exhibit will explore the behind-the-scenes—often lesser-known but highly significant—history of federal printing, preservation, and distribution services since the 1800s. It will educate the public about the history of U.S. federal government printing and the long-standing partnership between the federal government and libraries to ensure public access to information and to keep America informed, the new digital FDLP in digital AI era and the new NCSA model, as well as the history of Fondren Library as Federal Depository Library 1967-2016.
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?
New: check out these featured Fondren Library online resource guides for March:
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
- Government Resources for Women History Studies
- Immigration and DACA Research: Practical and research-based resources for understanding immigration and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).
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.