BROWNWOOD – June 29, 2026 – Howard Payne University’s (HPU) Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom is hosting a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary on Saturday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to this free event, located at 1320 Austin Ave.
The celebration – “Red, White and You: A Celebration of America’s 250th” – will feature family-friendly activities, including patriotic crafts, a scavenger hunt, facepainting, a photo booth, tours and photos in Independence Hall, and more.
“The 250th anniversary of the United States offers us an opportunity to showcase our unique learning spaces and engage with the community while also building excitement for the educational opportunities available at the museum year-round,” said Brittany Dunlap, museum outreach and education coordinator. “We’re working closely with local educators to develop curriculum-connected experiences that support classroom learning while helping students make meaningful connections to history and culture.”
One of the museum’s most distinctive features is the near-exact replica of the Independence Hall assembly room, modeled after the historic room where the founding fathers debated the future of the colonies and approved the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Students and families are invited to journey back to the birth of the nation by taking a seat in replica furnishings inspired by those used during the Continental Congress, experience the atmosphere of revolutionary America and learn about the courageous individuals who shaped American independence.
“As we continue to update and enhance the museum experience, our vision is for the museum to serve as an extension of the classroom, helping students and community members make personal connections to history, culture and the stories that have shaped our nation and community,” Dunlap said.
These Fourth of July activities are made possible by an $881,000 grant from the United States Department of Education. The grant helps fund the facility’s rollout of a wide range of interactive learning opportunities for students in Brown County and surrounding counties.
The Academy was founded in 1962 under the leadership of Dr. Guy D. Newman, who served as HPU president from 1955 to 1973.
For more information, please contact the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom at bdunlap@hputx.edu.
ABOUT HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas, dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership and service. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools, serving three locations, HPU combines academic excellence with meaningful personal connection in a close-knit campus community.
Guided by its five core values – centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship – Howard Payne prepares students through rigorous academic programs, vibrant student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities that equip graduates to make an impact in their communities and professions.
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Cutline 1: HPU will host a celebration for America’s 250th anniversary in the university’s Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom.
Cutline 2: Students visit the near-exact replica of the Independence Hall assembly room inside HPU’s Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom.