2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, as well as Montgomery County. Washington and Montgomery Counties are the only two localities in Virginia celebrating their 250th anniversary.

One way Montgomery County is celebrating this significant milestone anniversary is with a commemorative license plate. To pre-order your "Revolution to Revolutionary" license plate today, visit montva.com/mcva250.

Preorders will be collected through August 2025. The cost is $10 for a DMV-issued plate and $20 if you wish to personalize the plate.

Celebrations of VA250 in Montgomery County began earlier this year with the unveiling of a restored historic artifact. After discovering a crude bell in a storage space of the County Courthouse, a Sheriff’s Office employee led an initiative to restore it and give it a place of honor.

The bell restoration committee, which consisted of County employees, elected officials, Montgomery Museum of Art and History staff, and citizens, facilitated the restoration of what is believed to be the original courthouse bell dating back to the 1700s. During the restoration new bronze plate patches were placed on the wooden yoke of the bell for re stabilization. These bronze plates were remnants taken from the Statue of Liberty where the vendor selected to restore the bell, New Roots Historic Restoration LLC, had done previous work. Several activities and events are taking place to commemorate this significant anniversary. To listen to the sound of the bell, as well as a podcast about the historic bell restoration project, visit montva.com/mcva250.

Learn how to get a commemorative license plate and more about anniversary events and activities at montva.com/mcva250.