Step back in time at the America 250 Time Machine

Travel back to the founding of the United States, right here on campus.

Purdue University Fort Wayne invites everyone to experience the America 250 Time Machine on Monday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Walb Classic Ballroom. This immersive event, cohosted by the College of Liberal Arts U.S. 250th Anniversary Celebration Programming Committee and Historic Fort Wayne, brings history to life through interactive exhibits, live readings, and hands-on activities.

Throughout the day, attendees can explore a wide range of exhibits and experiences, from a Colonial Era Coffee House featuring light refreshments and lively historical debates to a “Life of a Soldier” exhibit highlighting Revolutionary War experiences. Visitors can try on colonial-era clothing at the costuming photo station, test their skills with 18th-century games, and contribute their own reflections on freedom at the interactive Liberty Tree.

The event also features engaging educational displays, including early American weaving and woodworking demonstrations, colonial flags and banners, and a special exhibit showcasing how Fort Wayne and Purdue Fort Wayne celebrated the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976.

A series of live readings will highlight key historical texts, including:

• The Declaration of Independence at 11 a.m.
• Excerpts from Thomas Paine’s Common Sense at 1 p.m.
• Phillis Wheatley’s poem General Washington at 2 p.m.

The event opens at 10 a.m. with remarks and a reading of a formal proclamation from the Fort Wayne mayor’s office. 

This collaborative event includes participation from campus groups and community partners such as PFW Library and Archives, Historic Fort Wayne, PBS Fort Wayne, and several lineage societies connected to the American Revolution.

List of Participants (all starred will have their own tables/displays):

• COLA Faculty
• PFW Library and Archives* 
• PFW Archery Club*
• PFW History Club
• Historic Fort Wayne*
• Daughters of the American Revolution*
• Sons of the American Revolution*
• Children of the American Revolution* 
• America 250th Allen County Committee*
• PBS Fort Wayne*
• Canal Society of Indiana*

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just looking for a unique campus experience, the America 250 Time Machine offers a chance to engage with the ideas, people, and stories that shaped the nation.