East Bay Anza 250 Symposium

As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, land managers, historians, educators, and civic leaders across the East Bay formed the East Bay Anza 250 Symposium committee. A committee committed to commemorating a parallel milestone: the 250th anniversary of the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition. This journey profoundly shaped California’s history and continues to influence our communities today.

The East Bay Anza 250 Symposium will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, and is a collaborative gathering that explores the expedition’s impact on the East Bay, honors Indigenous legacies, and fosters dialogue about how this history informs our present.

“On June 27, 1776, as the Declaration of Independence was being signed in Philadelphia, the colonists of the Anza expedition arrived at their destination in what would become San Francisco. Both of these events would dramatically shape the cultural and political landscapes of the United States. In 2025 and 2026, the Anza Trail invites communities along the historic path of the 1775-76 colonizing expedition to commemorate the complicated and evermore fascinating history of the paths and events that make up this National Historic Trail.” -NPS

Thanks to Grassroots Poetry, Los Medanos Honors Club, and fiscal support from Independent Arts Media, we are able to deliver this historical event to the public.

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East Bay Anza 250 will focus on three topics related to the Anza Expedition in 1776

1. Cultural Preservation: Supporting the diverse narratives that define the East Bay’s identity.
2. Community Education: Providing accessible, high-quality historical programming for residents.
3. Regional Collaboration: A high-profile network of East Bay land managers, historians, educators, and civic leaders.

This is a close-up view of the Anza trail through the East Bay.

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