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The Rush County Semiquincentennial Committee met at the Rushville City Center on November 20, 2025.  The group of eighteen community leaders discussed the upcoming 250th celebration.

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               Rushville and Rush County have a special connection to July 4 since it was named in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush from Pennsylvania, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Rushville founder William B. Laughlin named the town and county after his former teacher.

The 250 Committee reinforced the hope that Rush County’s annual events will embellish their 2026 activities with the 250th theme.

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Many activities are already underway or in the planning stages for 2026:

• In conjunction with the Rush County Arts and Cultural Council, the Rush County Love Community Center will host a patriotic exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.  The exhibit will focus on America’s voting rights and the history of voting in Rush County.  There will be an emphasis on the Wendell Willkie Campaign of 1940.  The Rushville Public Library will feature a collection of Willkie campaign memorabilia.  Panel discussions and interviews are planned.  The display will arrive on July 4 and can be viewed after that date until August 16, 2026.  In addition, the Rushville Library Summer reading program for young readers will be during the month of June. It will focus on 1776.  (to continue reading Click Here).