America turns 250 in 2026, and Ephrata is marking this milestone in a way that captures who we are – diverse voices coming together to celebrate freedom. The America's 250th Birthday Community Quilt project invites every resident to express what freedom means to them. No artistic perfection required. Just your voice, your perspective, your story woven into our collective celebration.
This quilt represents the essence of America itself – many voices, many perspectives, many stories united as one nation. E pluribus unum: out of many, one.
What Does Freedom Mean to You?
That’s the question at the heart of this project. For some, freedom might mean the ability to worship as they choose – a value that runs deep in Ephrata’s history since the founding of the Cloister. For others, it might be the freedom to pursue dreams, to speak openly, to build a business, to raise a family in safety.
There’s no single right answer because freedom means different things to different people. That’s exactly what makes this project powerful.
Stitched Into Community
Community members are invited to draw, stitch, paint, or print what freedom means to them on a provided 8” x 8” fabric square. When all the pieces come together, they’ll form a community quilt that tells our story. Each contribution represents one person’s perspective, one family’s interpretation, one voice speaking about freedom. Assembled together, they become our collective voice – a true representation of what makes Ephrata special.
This is how community works. We’re not all the same. We don’t all see things identically. But when we come together, when we listen to each other’s voices and honor each other’s perspectives, we create something beautiful and meaningful.
Express Your Freedom. Create Our Legacy.
Here’s how to participate:
Special Thanks
We’re grateful to Little Cocalico, an Ephrata-based print on demand fabric company, for their generous in-kind sponsorship, providing the fabric and printing that makes this project possible!
Join Us
What does freedom mean to you? What stories do you carry about America? How do you see our country’s past, present, and future?
Your perspective matters. Your voice deserves to be heard. And together, we’ll create something that represents all of us as we celebrate this historic milestone. Visit any pickup location during business hours to begin. For questions or more information, contact Mainspring of Ephrata at mainspringofephrata.org or stop by the Train Station at 16 E. Main Street.
Many Voices. One Community. America 250.
Let’s create our legacy together.