Georgetown County Library secures $40,500 grant for American Innovation Series
August 26, 2026
“From Independence to Interstellar” will mark America’s 250th with free programs, new books, and online access
The Georgetown County Library (GCL) has been awarded a major grant in support of “From Independence to Interstellar: 250 Years of American Innovation.” The project will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution while exploring its continuing influence on South Carolina life and American culture. Programs will cover a wide range of engaging topics, from the political and historical forces behind the nation’s founding and the “noble experiment” of the new United States government to innovations in transportation, including ships, trains, automobiles, aircraft, and spacecraft. The series will also examine major advances in technology and media—such as radio, film, television, and the internet—as well as enduring themes in U.S. culture, including nationalism and patriotism, religious belief, creative expression, and Americans’ connection with the land.
“From Independence to Interstellar” will highlight American innovation across history and into the future. The project is funded by a $40,500 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the South Carolina State Library. All programs are free and open to the public.
The grant will support the purchase of 1,000 adult nonfiction books for the library system, with titles focused on the American Revolution, South Carolina’s role, and colonial society. The project will also feature free public educational presentations, which will be filmed and shared with national audiences on the Georgetown County Library YouTube channel.
Book purchases and public programming will begin in October 2026, with the main program series scheduled to start in January 2027. The project is supported by Georgetown 250, the Georgetown County Museum, and GCL’s Friends groups.
