Longmont 155 | Colorado 150 | United States 250
Celebrating 155 years of Longmont
Did you know 2026 marks not one, not two, but three significant anniversaries?
In 2026, Longmont turns 155, Colorado will celebrate 150 years of Statehood, and the United States will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. These triplet milestones are a rare and exciting opportunity to unite with our community in celebration of our past and to imagine our future together.
In Longmont, we will mark these anniversaries by exploring the history of our city and by hosting commemorative events and activities.
Check out the Celebrations Calendar below, invite your friends and family to join in the fun, and follow along as we journey through history and celebrate together!
Celebrations Calendar
Longmont Legacy
with Erik Mason,
Longmont Museum Director
Longmont has prioritized education and knowledge since its founding. Byron and Mary Carr taught the first classes of schoolchildren in Longmont in 1871. The two taught one hundred children in a single room! By 1878, Longmont had outgrown the one-room school, and built a two-story brick school. Today that building is still an active school. It is the oldest part of Central Elementary School.
Longmont also boasted the first public library in Colorado, created by philanthropist Elizabeth Thompson using books from her personal collection. Housed in Library Hall on Pratt Street, the library was short-lived, as the collection soon disappeared into the community. The modern Public Library got its start in 1907, and a long-term home when the Carnegie library building opened at 4th and Kimbark in 1913.
In the Spotlight:
Schools & Libraries of Longmont
Captions:
-
-
-
- Children and teachers standing in front of Central Elementary School in Longmont. Fall 1906.
- Longmont High School graduating class of 1894.
- Five children seated at typewriters around a table taking the Type-It classes at Longmont Estates Elementary. Published in the Times-Call on May 10, 1977.
- Carnegie Library at 4th and Kimbark. 1913-1920. Charles W. Boynton.
- Young boy watching a filmstrip at the Longmont Public Library. Published in the Times-Call on April 6, 1978.
-
-
Explore More History with Longmont’s Virtual Tours
Women of Longmont Virtual Tour
Discover the lives of influential women who helped make Longmont the vibrant, community-focused town it is today.
Historic Downtown Virtual Tour
Enjoy historic photographs, text, and audio recordings that virtually walk you through more than a dozen downtown locations.
Latino History Virtual Tour
This tour explores Longmont’s Latino neighborhoods and heritage while honoring some of the many sacrifices, challenges and successes experienced by this remarkable community.
Is Sesquisemiquincentennial a real word?
It sure is! You may see “Sesquisemiquincentennial” used around the state of Colorado this year. In 2026, Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary of statehood (sesquicentennial) and the United State’s 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Learn about more celebrations around the state on the History Colorado website.
Sesquicentennial + Semiquincentennial = Sesquisemiquincentennial
The City of Longmont, in collaboration with the American 250-Colorado 150 Commission, celebrates this unique anniversary year by looking back at Longmont’s 155 years of history. Follow this webpage to learn more about how you can celebrate with us, in person and online!
