The Kewanee Public Library will be holding events this summer to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

Three programs in June and July will give the community a chance to explore America’s history through a variety of presentations. All events will be at the Kewanee Public Library in the Community Room in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

On Sunday, June 14, the Kewanee Community Band will play music on the steps of the library. The performance will feature patriotic pieces and start at 1:15 p.m.

After the band performs, guests are encouraged to go inside to the Community Room for more programs.

At 2 p.m. Jani Tiska will demonstrate spinning for the program “Colonial Life and the Everyday Soldier.” Tiska worked for a number of years at Bishop Hill, spinning and weaving.

At the same program, Jani’s husband Dick Wells will talk about the life of a Colonial soldier, and artifacts from that time period will be on display.

On Sunday, June 28 at 2 p.m., the library staff will show the movie Hamilton in the Community Room. Hamilton is a filmed version of the Broadway musical that tells the life of founding father, Alexander Hamilton. The show blends hip-hop, R&B, jazz and traditional showtunes to follow his rise during the Revolutionary War.

On Thursday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m., Barry Cloyd, storyteller and singer from Peoria, will present “The Kite, the Key and Other Tales – Ben Franklin in Story and Song.” This themed program brings Benjamin Franklin’s adventures to life through storytelling and original music, blending history with performance.

All of these events are open to the public and free of charge.