Foundation Announces “A Toast to 250: Celebrating America With Jon Meacham”

Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library will commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with A Toast to 250: Celebrating America With Jon Meacham on Sunday, November 15, at Goucher College. The program is part of the Foundation’s Booked for Baltimore County Public Library series while also serving as a fundraiser supporting Baltimore County Public Library. 

The afternoon begins with a free author conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and bestselling author Jon Meacham and Dr. Carla Hayden, senior fellow at the Mellon Foundation and former librarian of Congress. They will discuss Meacham’s new book, American Struggle, and offer insight, perspective, and reflection on the people, ideals, and moments that have shaped our nation over 250 years. Free tickets will be available on Thursday, October 15, at 2 p.m. on Goucher's box office website.

“As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, it feels especially meaningful to celebrate with an extraordinary historian like Jon Meacham and history-making former librarian of Congress and Baltimore native Dr. Carla Hayden," said Emanuel Figueroa, executive director of Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library. "Libraries are places where our community comes together to discover new authors, explore new ideas and protect the freedom to read. We’re proud to bring these remarkable voices to Baltimore County and celebrate this historic moment alongside our community of readers.”

Following the conversation, the Foundation will host a special ticketed celebration beginning at 2:30 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Meacham and continue the 250th celebration with book signings, live music, entertainment, libations and hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds from the celebration will support the Foundation’s work on behalf of Baltimore County Public Library.

Tickets for the private post-event celebration will also go on sale October 15 and can be purchased through Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library.

“A Toast to 250 offers us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our nation’s history while looking ahead to the role libraries play in strengthening our communities,” said Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier. “We’re thrilled to bring together two extraordinary voices for what promises to be a memorable conversation—and then invite the community to continue the celebration with us.”

The event is presented by Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library with support from MDTwoFifty and the Baltimore Community Foundation, as well as Goucher College, Bonnie Clarke, Point Breeze Federal Credit Union, APG Federal Credit Union, and Smith Gildea & Schmidt.

For more information about A Toast to 250: Celebrating America With Jon Meacham, tickets or the Foundation’s work supporting Baltimore County Public Library, visit foundationforbcpl.org.