ETSU students will have an opportunity this fall to travel to Washington, D.C., through the Mountains to Monuments program, which was created as part of the America 250 celebration.

Instead of limiting the celebration to lectures and talks, the program was designed to allow students to experience American history through travel. 

“There are so many formal ways to celebrate America 250 from a historical or celebratory perspective that could have been done through a lecture or an on-campus workshop,” said Nathan Farnor, ETSU’s community engagement specialist. 

“We wanted to find a unique way to allow members of the campus community to learn and celebrate the 250 by seeing the sites, walking through historic spaces and reflecting on those experiences directly.”

Farnor said learning within a community can provide students with an experience that may differ from what they receive in a classroom.

“Being in a community offers a different kind of learning and we want to give students that chance,” Farnor said.

Washington, D.C., was selected because of its connection to major events in the country’s history.

“Our nation’s capital has been a pivotal space in every one of our country’s greatest and most challenging moments,” Farnor said. “The city itself is rich in that history with both big and small reminders and lessons around every corner. There is no better classroom.”

While in Washington, students will participate in pre-planned programming and experiences centered around American history and the country’s 250th anniversary. Students will also have time to explore the city independently.

“Some students may want to focus in on historical and cultural history through the many museums D.C. has to offer and some may want to explore the ways in which we celebrate American legends and figures through monuments and memorials,” Farnor said.

The program is open to all students, whether or not they have been to Washington D.C., but students who have never had the opportunity to travel to the city are encouraged to apply.

“As classes and work can often make it difficult to have similar travel experiences, we wanted this trip to be accessible and as affordable as possible,” Farnor said. “There is no better time than the present.”

Approximately 35 to 45 students are expected to participate in the trip. Students will apply and explain their interest in the program, and applications will be reviewed by a selection team.

Students can apply through www.etsu.edu/etsu250.

 “I hope students find themselves thinking about what has happened over our country’s 250 year history but also reflecting on what they want the next 250 to look like and their role in that work,” Farnor said.

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