Session Content

“In 2026, the United States will commemorate 250 years of the Declaration of Independence — a document representing one generation’s table stakes for the self-governed future they sought. Today, younger generations are still leading the way, writing our country’s next chapter. With its nationwide network of 400+ participating museums and historic sites, Made By Us will share updates on the key question driving its programs Civic Season and Youth250: How can we invite younger generations to meaningfully mark the U.S. 250th anniversary, reckoning with our past while looking ahead to the future?

From regional “Imagine and Incubate” workshops hosted at four iconic historic sites in 2024, to the 28 million Americans that took part in creating a “Civic Season” between Juneteenth and July 4th this past summer, Made By Us has cracked the code on what younger generations need and want from historic sites; and how historic sites can join forces to better serve this audience. From collaborative content, to data-driven decision-making, to programming templates, Made By Us – and its partners – have charted a new path forward for historic sites, strengthening our capacity to serve new and growing audiences.

Alongside program updates and “need to know” information about what’s coming up for America’s 250th, Made By Us will share out the top takeaways from Civic Season and Youth250, outlining the many resources available for historic sites to improve their offerings, prepare for the future and harness the creative, passionate power of young people in their area.

Speaker Biography

Caroline Klibanoff is the Executive Director of Made By Us, a New America US250 Fellow, an Eisenhower USA 2024 Fellow and a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution. Under her direction, since its launch in 2019, Made By Us has grown into a nationwide network of 400 historic sites and museums joining forces to engage young adults — the “founders” of tomorrow — with credible, multi-perspective history and civics information, informing and inspiring millions. Through award-winning content, programs, youth leadership, and an annual “Civic Season” held from Juneteenth to July 4th since 2021, Made By Us cultivates Gen Z’s belonging and connection to U.S. history and their role in shaping it. Klibanoff has worked in exhibitions at the MIT Museum, programming at Bridge Alliance, Big Tent Nation and HistoryCambridge, and strategic communications at Frameworks Institute and the Pew Research Center. She holds a BA in American Studies from Georgetown University and an MA in Public History and Digital Humanities from Northeastern University. She is a 2023 recipient of the Northeastern University Women Who Empower Innovator Award, an MIT Solve semifinalist and a member of the national Civic Collaboratory, and frequently writes, speaks and consults on the U.S. 250th, Gen Z and engagement strategy.