Akron Bicentennial

03/03/2026

Join us Tuesday, March 3rd, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Grand Lobby of the Akron Civic Theatre for a special free event celebrating the history of Jazz in Akron! Presented by the Akron History Center and America 250-Ohio, the program features amazing jazz artists Theron Brown and Chris Coles, Akron Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor, Maestro Christopher Wilkins, and our former Historic Research & Program Coordinator, Rose Vance-Grom. Our former Executive Director, Mark Greer, will moderate the program. The event will also be filmed by our friends at PBS Western Reserve.

Join us and learn more about Akron’s incredibly rich Jazz legacy, along with profiles on notable Akron musicians. And don’t miss the phenomenal talents of Theron Brown and Chris Coles, whose performances will open and close the program!

Before the event, you can explore the Rhythms of the Rubber City exhibit at the Akron History Center (FREE admission from 4:30–6:00PM).

Akron-Summit County Public Library Summit County Historical Society

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/entertainment/arts/2026/03/02/learn-about-akron-jazz-history-civic-theatre-march-3/88883259007/ed

Local musicians and historian to dig into jazz in Akron from 1920 to the present during free program.

01/28/2026

Did you miss “A Concert For Akron, By Akron: The Akron Bicentennial Concert,” with the Akron Symphony Orchestra? Well tune in tonight at 8 pm ET on WCLV for a special encore performance, featuring all Akron musicians and composers, led by Maestro Chris Wilkins! Click the link below to hear the Bicentennial Concert tonight:

https://www.ideastream.org/show/ovations
Photos 📸 courtesy of The Green Photograph

12/06/2025

Check out these highlights from our Bicentennial Closing Ceremony this afternoon at historic Perkins Square! Many thanks to everyone who attended to help us celebrate Akron’s official 200th Anniversary date! The ceremony was a commemorative celebration of our entire bicentennial year, including the unveiling of the new City of Akron logo by Mayor Shammas Malik, a special proclamation by Congresswoman Emilia Sykes, and historical remarks by Akron History Center President, Dave Lieberth, and Summit County Historical Society President & CEO, Leianne Neff Heppner. Akron Marathon CEO, Anne Bitong presented the commemorative pins to those who completed our yearlong Bicentennial Wellness Challenge, and Akron Children's Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Tarun Bhalla, graciously welcomed us to the Hospital campus.

Many thanks to all our amazing sponsors, partners, and volunteers, the Bicentennial Commission, City of Akron, Ohio - Mayor's Office, Akron City Council, Akron 200 staff, Jasina Chapman and Rose Vance-Grom, and everyone who has attended one or more of the 253 events on our calendar this year! We truly cannot thank you enough for your support of the Akron Bicentennial, and for making our 200th Anniversary a year like none other! We still have one more signature event on our calendar, so be sure to join us Tuesday, December 9th, 6 pm at historic Wesley Temple for our final Forgotten History Forum on the history of the African American Church in Akron! Photos courtesy of Anthony Boarman.

12/04/2025

What an amazing Concert For Akron, By Akron: The Akron Bicentennial Concert last night with our friends from the Akron Symphony Orchestra, under the stellar direction of Maestro Christopher Wilkins! A wonderful evening of all Akron composers and/or performers, the Bicentennial Concert was a celebration of Akron’s musical talent and legacy. From Ruby and the Romantics, Julia Perry, and Rodgers & Hart, to living Akronite composers, Margi Griebling-Haigh, Jamie Wilding, Eric Benjamin, and Roger Zahab, to the amazing soprano, Jocelyn Grant, the phenomenal pianist, Theron Brown, and our very own Executive Director, pianist Mark Greer. Many thanks to all our sponsors and partners, the Akron Bicentennial Commission, the City of Akron, Ohio - Mayor's Office, Akron City Council, Akron 200 staff, our amazing volunteers, and everyone who has attended and supported the Bicentennial throughout the year! We truly cannot thank you all enough! Be sure to join us this Saturday, December 6th at 1 pm for our Closing Ceremony at One Perkins Square at the outdoor amphitheater at Akron Children's Hospital! Photos courtesy of The Green Photograph.

11/26/2025

We’re one week away from our Akron Bicentennial Concert: “A Concert for Akron, by Akron!” Join us December 3rd, 7 pm for this FREE CONCERT at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall for the Bicentennial Musical Event of the year, featuring the Akron Symphony Orchestra! And don’t miss our community expo in the lobby at 6 pm. Reserve your free tickets HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-concert-for-akron-by-akron-the-akron-bicentennial-concert-tickets-1852910458059

A Concert for Akron, by Akron: The Akron Bicentennial Concert featuring the Akron Symphony Orchestra.

11/17/2025

Recently, we hosted our final Akron Bicentennial Discovering Our History Forum, which focused on Akron’s Jewish History. Hosted at Temple Israel Akron, and moderated by Mike Butlien, panelists included Lois Reaven, Art Krakauer, and Joelle Zellman, who shared such interesting insights and experiences that enlightened our audience.
Many thanks to all our attendees and Rabbi Brown for all his help in organizing the event! And our special thanks to our partners at WAOH TV for recording the forum, which will be broadcast in the coming weeks! To view our upcoming events, visit Akron200.org

11/10/2025

Our last Akron Bicentennial Akron History Hike is in the books! We had a great time on our “Outskirts of Akron” tour, exploring many hidden gems around the city. Hike attendees were able to get a final taste of the season as the hike stopped at Stricklands Ice Cream the day before it closed for the season.

Many thanks to President & CEO of the Summit County Historical Society, Leianne Neff Heppner, for another great history tour; to sponsors at METRO Regional Transit Authority for providing the bus; and to our superb driver, Ken Gibson, who also shared some history nuggets along the way! Thanks to all our attendees, and be sure to visit Akron200.org to see all our upcoming bicentennial events, including our highly anticipated A Concert For Akron, By Akron: The Akron Bicentennial Concert featuring the Akron Symphony Orchestra, December 3rd, 7 pm at E.J. Thomas Hall.

11/05/2025

This week we enjoyed a great Discovering Our History Forum with the International Soap Box Derby! Many thanks to our moderator, Jasen Sokol, and panelists, Hall of Famer Bob Troyer, Interim Executive Director Dennis VanFossen Jr., and Current Racer & Local Akron Champ Meredith Brown.

Special thanks to our exclusive media partner, WAOH TV, for recording the forum, which will be broadcast in the coming weeks.

To see the remaining Bicentennial events on our calendar, please visit Akron200.org

11/04/2025

RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY For the Akron Bicentennial Musical Event of the Year: “A Concert for Akron, by Akron!” Featuring all Akron performers and/or composers in a celebration of our city’s musical heritage and artistry, don’t miss this Signature Event, with the Akron Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Christopher Wilkins, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 7 pm at E.J. Thomas Hall! And join us for our Community Expo at 6 pm in the lobby, featuring Bicentennial sponsors and partner organizations, bringing all of Akron together to commemorate our 200th Anniversary! Admission is FREE, Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-concert-for-akron-by-akron-the-akron-bicentennial-concert-tickets-1852910458059?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

A Concert for Akron, by Akron: The Akron Bicentennial Concert featuring the Akron Symphony Orchestra.

10/10/2025

Don’t miss our Akron Sound Forgotten History Forum PART 2, with our friends at The Summit FM! Tuesday, October 14th, 6 pm at the Akron-Summit County Public Library Main Auditorium!

After a completely sold-out first installment, The Summit FM is thrilled to present The Akron Bicentennial Forgotten History Forum Series: History of the Akron Sound Part Two, proudly presented in partnership with FirstEnergy Foundation, on Tuesday, October 14th at 6:00 PM at the Akron-Summit County Public Library.

Join us as we dive even deeper into the stories, sounds, and impact of Akron’s groundbreaking music scene. This installment features an incredible panel including David Giffels, Bob Ethington (Unit 5), Deborah Cahan (Chi-Pig), Dave Swanson, Danny Basone, and more, hosted by Brad Savage, Summit FM Music and Program Director.

Together, we’ll explore the voices, venues, and vibes that shaped the Akron Sound and celebrate its influence both locally and far beyond. With so much more to discuss, Part Two promises fresh perspectives, unforgettable memories, and lively conversation honoring Akron’s musical legacy. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the discussion!

Register here: https://akron200.org/event/forgotten-history-forum-series-8/

10/10/2025

This Saturday from 12-5 pm at Cascade Locks Park!

09/26/2025

Our Akron Bicentennial Hidden Gems Tour was a rousing success! Many thanks to our friends at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for partnering with us on this special event, and the great service provided by their staff! A special thanks to bicentennial commissioner, Leianne Neff Heppner, President & CEO of the Summit County Historical Society, for leading another engaging tour highlighting Akron’s rich history! We had a great group of attendees, filling two train cars, and the feedback was fantastic. Don’t miss any of our upcoming Akron History Hikes and history forums over the next few months, with so many great topics yet to be explored. To sign up for these free forums, and to see our entire calendar of events, visit Akron200.org