Hinsdale kids can design a cookie, adults can hear a historian explain the Declaration of Independence, and the whole village gets a year's worth of programming tied to the nation's 250th birthday.

Village President Greg Hart announced Hinsdale's participation in America 250, the national commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Village posted the announcement on Tuesday, June 16, on its website, outlining events and exhibits planned throughout 2026.

Hart already represented Hinsdale at DuPage County's America 250 Time Capsule Ceremony on June 9, where he deposited four items: a rendering of the planned Burlington Park Pavilion, a proclamation he signed outlining the community's celebration plans, a historic photo of the Hinsdale Memorial Building, and a commemorative pin from the village's 150th anniversary in 2023.

"It was a great opportunity to preserve a piece of our community's history for future generations," Hart wrote on Instagram after the ceremony, which was organized by DuPage County and the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference.

Several events are already on the calendar. Toni Patisserie & Café at 51 S. Washington St. is running a Kids Cookie Design Contest with a Friday, June 26 entry deadline. Children 12 and younger draw their vision of America's 250th birthday; the winning design gets printed on real cookies and sold at Hinsdale's Fourth of July parade. The winner will be announced Monday, June 29.

The Hinsdale Public Library at 20 E. Maple St. has two programs scheduled: "The Declaration of Independence through the Centuries" with historian Joyce Haworth on Tuesday, July 14, from 7 to 8 p.m., and "Revolutionary Illinois: How our State Shaped our Nation" on Tuesday, July 28, from 7 to 8 p.m.

Also tied to the America 250 theme, the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook opened "Enduring Symbols: Liberty Set in Stone" on Friday, June 19, running through Saturday, September 5.

The Village has a dedicated America 250 page at villageofhinsdale.org/visitors/250th_anniversary_of_america.php, though the full event schedule had not been posted as of Monday, June 22. Residents should check that page for updates as more programming is confirmed.

DuPage County is also coordinating countywide events, including a "Snapshots of DuPage: Honoring 250 Years of America" photo contest open to residents and visitors. Details are at discoverdupage.com/events/america250.