Introduction
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.
The program will be updated here monthly throughout the year of 2026. Keep reading to explore our events and activities of this month. Mark your calendar to participate and share about it.
To learn more details about the program and browse the archived past event information, click America250@Fondren.
Should you have any questions about the program, ways to integrate these events and activities to enrich your teaching and programs, or want to learn about opportunities to get involved in this program, 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 (Chair), 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
- Center for Civic Leadership
- Department of Political Science
- Politics, Law, and Social Thought (PLST)
- Rice Phi Beta Kappa
- Rice student organizations
Off-campus partner:
- Houston Public Library
- League of Women Voters
September Events, Resources, and Activities:
12-1pm, Thursday, September 17
Event Title: Constitution Day Panel Discussion "America 250: The Constitution from Quills to AI"
Location: Fondren Library lobby, first floor
About:
This is a non-partisan panel discussion, 45-minute panel discussion, and 15-minute Q&A. The panel will bring together two Rice student leaders, Saami Baig and Daijah Wilson, Political Science Professor Alec Arellano, and a community leader from LWV, with another Rice student leader, DaTaeveyon Daniels, serving as moderator, to explore how constitutional ideas, civic participation, and the changing information and technology landscape intersect with students’ lives today. To commemorate America250, the panel discussion is designed to encourage deeper reflection on American history and civic engagement and to inspire participants to take meaningful action today and make a positive impact in their communities and future.
- Please RSVP and join us for this free public event!
- The first 20 registered Rice student attendees of the panel discussion session can receive a Fondren gift bag!
- Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The panel discussion is the featured component of the 2026 Fondren Library Constitution and Citizenship Day Celebration. The celebration is free and open to the public. Please see the section below for more details about the full schedule of activities.
12 - 5 pm, Thursday, September 17
Event Title: Fondren Library Constitution and Citizenship Day Celebration Event
Location: Fondren Library lobby, first floor
Registration
Please click here to register and join us for this free event!
About:
This is a non-partisan education event that is free and open to the public, with a featured panel discussion, “America 250: The Constitution from Quills to AI”. Refer to the section above for more details about the panel discussion.
We will also have interactive activities after the panel discussion until 5 pm, including
- Get Registered to Vote! and VDVR recruitment 1-5 pm
- Try Voting Machine and have conversations with Harris County Election Office staff 1-5 pm
- Games and art activities: 1-5 pm
- Photo booth 1-5 pm
- Guided Tour of the Woodson Research Center's America250 Exhibits — 1-4pm
- Guided Tour of the Kelley Center's America250 Exhibits — 1-4pm
FREE pocket constitution, FREE CAKE, AND SNACKS will be available after the panel discussion session.
Visit complete activities schedule.
This is a collaborative program presented by Fondren Library, Department of Political Science, Program in Politics, Law, and Social Thought (PLST), the League of Women Voters, Rice Phi Beta Kappa, as well as several Rice student organizations.
Event contact: Anna Xiong, Head, Fondren Library Kelley Center for Government Information & Civic Engagement: govhelp@rice.edu, office: B38A, Fondren Library Basement
11:00am - 12:30pm, Saturday, September 19, 2026
Event title: We The People: Constitution Day
Location: 1st Floor Events, 1st Floor International Services. Central Houston Public Library, Jesse H. Jones
About
Celebrate Constitution Day with special guests Anna Xiong and Veronica Reyna from Rice University. Enjoy a lively and educational community event where attendees of all ages can explore the meaning and history of Constitution Day. Together, we’ll learn why the Constitution matters, how it continues to shape our rights and responsibilities, and what citizenship truly means. This is a collaborative program presented by the Central Houston Public Library, Rice University’s Fondren Library and Center for Civic Leadership. Read complete information of the event.
5 pm, Thursday, September 24
Constitution Day Lecture "Emancipating the Power of the 13th Amendment" by Campus Partner Politics, Law, and Social Thought (PLST)
Location: Kyle Morrow Room, 3rd Floor, Fondren Library
About:
Rice alumnus ('80), noted author, and founder of the Texas Innocence Network, Prof. David R. Dow, Cullen Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center, will deliver PLST's Constitution Day Lecture, America 250, sponsored by Hal Marcus. The lecture and Q&A will be followed by a catered reception.
Prof. Dow's lecture, "Emancipating the Power of the 13th Amendment," argues that the 13th Amendment could facilitate Constitutional reform on matters of bipartisan political concern, such as gerrymandering, the Electoral College, and the limit of 2 senators per state regardless of population size. What would it take to emancipate the Amendment?
More: Resources and Activities
- New! This month, the Kelley Center launched a new biweekly blog series on Black Voter Suppression in the American South. Follow the Kelley Center on Instagram and check our blog to be the first to know when new articles are published! Leave a comment to share your thoughts, and if you have a topic you’d like us to explore in a future post, email govhelp@rice.edu
- Check out Fondren Library Online Constitution LibGuide, Computer Games, and Resources Resources providing background, research, fun facts about the U.S. Constitution, links to state and international constitutions, as well as online computer games and quizzes. This LibGuide is selected and featured by U.S. Government Publishing Office at Home - Constitution Day - FDLP Resource Guides at U.S. Government Publishing Office.
- Check out Fondren Library Online LibGuide on 9/11 Resources about the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States with updates for the current year as they become available.
- Visit standing America250 library exhibits at Fondren Library, explore collections, discover new perspectives, and engage in thoughtful learning and meaningful conversations.
- Free America250 giveaway for visitors: Pick up a beautiful dual-purpose U.S. Presidents bookmark and ruler produced by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO). Available while supplies last. Ask Kelley Center staff for help. Location: Kelley Center Information Desk, library basement
- America250 Legacy Registry Guest Book! What does America250 mean to you? Leave your voice in our guest book and become part of the legacy. Location: Find the guest book on the table at the end of the Landmark Documents (1776–2026) exhibit, near the Kelley Center Information Desk located in the library basement.
Standing Exhibits
Exhibit: Landmark Documents (1776-2026) (*This exhibit will remain on display with no scheduled end date.)
Location: Fondren Library Basement (near Kelley Center Information Desk) (Watch our video for directions on how to find it)
About: This large-scale wall exhibit features 17 poster panels organized into eight historical periods, showcasing landmark U.S. government documents that have shaped the course of American history. From the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to today's digital and artificial intelligence era, these milestone documents chronicle the nation's evolving political, social, and technological landscape. Visitors will also find reflection questions, interactive activities, and QR codes connecting them to audio and visual resources for a richer learning experience. Complimentary bookmarks, buttons, stickers, and other giveaways are available at the Kelley Center Information Desk to enhance your visit. This exhibit was jointly curated by Kelley Center and Research Services Department.
On Display Through December 31, 2026
Exhibit: How to Build A Summit: 1990 G7 Summit at Rice
Location: Fondren First Floor, Flat Cases outside of Woodson
About: Photographs document the preparations and activities surrounding the G7 Economic Summit held at Rice in 1990. This exhibit was curated by Woodson Research Center.
Exhibit: A Taste of Americana: Music from the Joe Specht Collection
Location: Fondren First Floor, Exhibit Cases near the Quad Entrance
About: This exhibit showcases LPs from Joe Specht's collection that center local and regional talent. This exhibit was curated by Woodson Research Center.
Exhibit: The Beauty of American Books: Covers and Plates
Location: Study Room 156 case and 6th floor cases
About: This two-part exhibit highlights a variety of American literature with a focus on their interesting covers and plates. This exhibit was curated by Woodson Research Center.
Exhibit: America at War
Location: Fondren 3rd Floor Exhibit Space
About: This exhibit includes selections that focus on the U.S. Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War. This exhibit was curated by Woodson Research Center.
Exhibit: One Giant Leap: NASA Collections at Woodson Research Center and Kelley Center
Location: RMC (Student Center), First Floor – Ballroom Exhibit Space
About: The exhibit showcases NASA collections at Woodson Research Center and FDLP-NASA collections at Kelley Center. After the exhibition concludes, government publications at the Kelley Center will be available for checkout. All other display materials will remain accessible through the Woodson Research Center and the Kelley Center at Fondren Library for research and educational use. This exhibit was jointly curated by Woodson Research Center and Kelley Center.
More Resources and Activities
blog post: Decades of Achievements: NASA's Space Exploration
By Daira Posada, Kelley Center student stafffree giveaway for visitors: Pick up a beautiful dual-purpose U.S. Presidents bookmark and ruler produced by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO). Available while supplies last. Location: Kelley Center Information Desk, library basement
Share your voice in our new America250 Legacy Registry Guest Book! Location: Find the guest book on the table at the end of the Landmark Documents (1776–2026) exhibit, near the Kelley Center Information Desk.
More Standing Items
Kelley Center for Government Information and Civic Engagement
Exhibits
Keeping America Informed: The Enduring Partnership Between Government Printing and Libraries for Public Access (1800s–Present)
Location: Fondren Library Basement, Across Kelley Center Information Desk
About:
This exhibit explores often overlooked yet significant aspects of the history of early federal printing and publishing, preservation, and public access, as well as the longstanding legal partnership—authorized under U.S. Code—between the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) and Federal Depository Libraries to support free public access and dissemination of government information since the early 1800s.
From printed documents and microforms to floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, and today’s digital-first Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) and National Collection Service Areas (NCSA) model, the exhibit highlights the evolving systems, services, and tools that connect the public with government information.
The exhibit also showcases Fondren Library’s history as a Federal Depository Library since 1967, highlights its current government information services, and invites visitors to consider new issues and how they can help preserve and strengthen public access to information in a digital, AI-driven future. Visitors are encouraged to explore, support, and benefit from the free government information resources and assistance available through Federal Depository Libraries in their communities.
Curated by Anna Xiong, Head of the Kelley Center, and Mary Kelleher, Research Librarian I, Kelley Center.
Texas and Houston from 1850–2026: Maps, Atlases, and Geopolitical History
Location: Fondren Basement, Map Room
About
This wall exhibit offers a deep dive into the cartographic evolution of our region. Curated by Kelley Center student staff Apollinaire Mendoza—a Sophomore studying Global Studies at Rice, mentored by Anna Xiong, Head of Kelley Center.
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.
Civic Duty and the American Dream
Location: Fondren Basement, Near the entrance of the Digital Media Commons
About:
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 Anna Xiong, Head of Kelley Center and Mary Kelleher, Research Librarian I of Kelley Center.
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?
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.
Exhibits
Birds of America
Location: Fondren First Floor, Main Hallway
About
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.
Fight for Your Right to Protest: Celebrating the 1st Amendment
Location: Fondren First Floor, Room 156
About
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.
A Selection of Political Cartoons from C.P. Houston
Location: Fondren 6th Floor Exhibit Space
About
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.
Join Us!
We invite all members of the Rice and the general public community to learn, explore, reflect, and engage with history, democracy, and civic life throughout the year.