PRESS RELEASE: February 10, 2026
American Mural Project Announces AMERICA250 - Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of a Living Events
February 10, 2026/Winsted, CT…American Mural Project (AMP), home to the world's largest indoor collaborative work of art, has announced a varied and exciting lineup of events in conjunction with the AMERICA250 observation of the nation's semiquincentennial. Using the themes of the everyday American and work represented in AMP's epic 5-story mural, the non-profit attraction's AMERICA250 events have been curated around the theme of "Life, Liberty & The Pursuit a Living." A full schedule can be found at americanmuralproject.org/america-250. Registration for events will be added throughout the year. To receive announcements, individuals should sign up for email newsletters at americanmuralproject.org/sign-up. American Mural Project's AMERICA250 programs with the support of CT Humanities.
AMERICA250 - Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of a Living
In 2026, American Mural Project observes the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This multi-part program explores how work has shaped our national consciousness and Connecticut communities across history through personal storytelling workshops, live performance, film screenings, exhibits, and lectures. Together, these programs engage participants in remembering pivotal events, amplifying personal stories, and sparking dialogue about how labor continues to shape American culture and civic life today.
Get to Work: Telling Your Story Workshop
Saturday, March 21; 10am–3pm
This daylong workshop, led by master storyteller Terry Wolfisch Cole, founder and producer of Tell Me Another events, introduces participants to the art of personal storytelling. Through lecture, writing exercises, and small-group feedback, participants learn how to choose, structure, and share their own stories of work. The day concludes with a practice performance where participants can present their stories to each other in a supportive environment.
Registration fee includes the workshop and admission to AMP. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided. Participants should come with a lunch, pen, notebook, and a few ideas!
Women of the American Revolution - History Talk
Sunday, April 26; 1-3pm
HIstorian Hamish Lutris presents a fascinating illustrated talk on some of the women who played signifcant and often-hidden roles in the American Revolution. This presentation is presented in partnership the Daughters of the American Revolution, the largest all-female volunteer organization in the United States. Sponsored and arranged by the Brooks-Gren Woods DAR.
So What Do You Do?: Work Stories Live
Friday, May 1; Doors open at 6pm; Show at 7pm
Oftentimes when meeting someone new, one of the first questions asked is, "So what do you do?" Of course, the question really means "What do you do for work?" Terry Wolfisch Cole, Moth GRANDSlam champion and founder/producer of Tell Me Another storytelling events, curates an evening of live storytelling inspired by our mural: tales of the work we do, the work we've done, and what our work reveals about us. Experienced storytellers and newbies drawn from our community will create a moving, funny and unique evening certain to make us reflect on the role of work in our lives.
Inundated: Connecticut's Great Flood of 1955 Film, Talk and Exhibit
Friday, August 7; 5-7 pm
Learn about the devastating 1955 flood and its profound impact on workers, industries, and communities in the northwest corner of Connecticut. The program features a documentary film screening and talk by historian Hamish Lutris. Additionally, a month-long exhibit of photographs and artifacts on display from area historical societies and libraries invites audiences to consider how environmental events shape the nature of work and resilience.
THE GUYS presented by Herstory Theater
Friday, September 11; 5–7pm
One of the first plays written immediately after September 11, playwright Anne Nelson’s one-act play is a sensitive examination of loss, connection, and the power of language.
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, New York City fire captain Nick has the monumental task of writing eulogies for eight of his men who were killed. Unable to adequately put his memories and sentiments into words, he enlists the help of Joan, a news editor and former journalist. Nick and Joan come from completely different worlds and, were it not for the attacks, never would have met. United through tragedy, Nick and Joan discover a shared humanity as they craft poignant remembrances of “the guys”.
Herstory Theater, founded by Virginia Wolf in Farmington, CT, focuses most often in telling the stories of little known women in history, but also takes on other projects with important (or fun) stories to tell. Learn more at herstorytheater.com.
Who Were The Wobblies?: Hidden Labor History Film and Lecture
Friday, September 18; 5–7pm
This program highlights the story of the Industrial Workers of the World (the “Wobblies”) and their seismic role in labor history. The Wobblies solicited new union members among the most discriminated-against groups of the workforce: unskilled workers, non-whites, immigrants, women, and migrant workers who were barred from the American Federation of Labor, which tended to support white, male, skilled workers. The I.W.W. hoped to create "one big union" through which workers would own the means of production and distribution. HistorianHamish Lutris and author/activist Steve Thornton will lead the discussion following the screening of The Wobblies.
The Civilian Conservation Corps: Putting Depression-Era Men to Work Film and Lecture
Friday, October 16; 5–7pm
This daylong program explores the work of the national Civilian Conservation Corps, which operated twenty-one camps across Connecticut towns, state parks, and forests during the Great Depression. Historian Hamish Lutris and author Marty Podskoch will lead a lecture, film screening, and Q&A. This program highlights how government initiatives transformed both the landscape and the livelihoods of workers. The following morning Hamish will lead a family-friendly hike in People’s State Forest to view nearby examples of CCC workmanship firsthand.
American Mural Project is located at 90 Whiting Street in Winsted, CT. For more detailed information on the mural, AMP programs and how to plan your visit, go to AmericanMuralProject.org.
About CT Humanities
Connecticut Humanities (CTH) is an independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org.
About America 250 | CT Affiliate
America 250 | CT Affiliate organizations are committed to aligning their 250th activities with the state’s America 250 | CT Commission. Affiliates have demonstrated that their values align with the state’s guiding values and will use Connecticut’s four 250th themes—Doing History, For the Common Good, Power of Place, and Tell Inclusive Stories—as inspiration for their initiatives. Learn more by visiting CT250.org.
