Jasmin Manuel, 4, along with Mark Gates, Jia Jia Manuel and Denise Etter look at a previous America 250 exhibit at Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

A display recognizing America’s upcoming 250th anniversary will allow people to journey through time, reviewing stories that, when stitched together, make up nearly two and a half centuries of U.S., Pennsylvania and Butler County history.

The display, located at the RLA Learning and Conference Center in Cranberry Township, is on display through July 3, but a few open houses — including one set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 — will offer additional opportunities to interact with experts on Butler County’s history.

“Leading up to the nation’s 250th anniversary, showcasing not only our national history, but also our state and local history is important,” said Tammy Schuey, Butler Eagle publisher and member of the Steering Committee for America250PA-Butler County. “It all started here in PA.”

The stories adorning the walls of the learning center are from the front pages of the Butler Eagle’s monthly “America250: A Journey through Time” publication. The stories featured at this time are the ones published in 2024, which includes editions that cover the happenings from 1960 to present day and a variety of topics such as the influence of television and inventions like wire rope.

Those pages are brought to life in a 90-foot display of rare stories, photos and maps with national, state and local connections.

As the nation’s semiquincentennial nears, Schuey said, the committee felt it was important to find ways to highlight and educate people on the country’s history.

“Being able to put this together for the community, we’re obviously very proud of it,” she said. “Readers really enjoy it. We hear how readers save (the publications).”

She hopes for a similar response to the upcoming events at the learning center, located at 850 Cranberry Woods Drive.

The Tuesday open house will include Karin Lund, the author of “Women In Steel, Women Of Steel: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow”; representatives of the Washington Trail, some dressed in period attire; and a booth from Experience Butler County with historical focus.

Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

The Tuesday open house is the first of many. The Tuesday and May 31 open houses will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and another is planned from 2 to 6 p.m. on June 26. Each will feature special guests.

However, anyone is able to view the display during the RLA’s regular hours. The display is accessible from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays in the second floor mezzanine of the RLA.

“People could stand there and read for hours,” Schuey said.