As Arlington proudly marks its 150th anniversary, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation has stepped forward to help the community celebrate this historic milestone and ensure that Arlington’s sesquicentennial year is filled with pride, reflection, creativity and connection.
This contribution reflects the Tomorrow Foundation’s long-standing commitment to enriching the quality of life in Arlington. It also highlights the Foundation’s belief that a community’s past, present and future are worth celebrating together. The North Texas Community Foundation has also pledged $10,000 toward the City’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.
The largest part of the Foundation’s investment will enrich Arlington’s public art collection with vibrant, meaningful installations across the city. These include:
A new website, www.Arlington150.com, honoring Arlington’s story will serve as a digital home for sesquicentennial celebrations. Featuring historical stories, then-and-now photos, videos, podcasts and a calendar of events, the site will invite residents to reflect on the people and moments that helped shape Arlington over the past 150 years. The site ensures that Arlington’s history remains accessible, engaging and preserved for all generations.
150th Anniversary celebrations also extend to inspiring the next generation. Through a special bookmark contest with Arlington ISD, every sixth grader across 54 campuses will have the opportunity to create artwork honoring Arlington’s history. Seven winning designs will be produced as official Arlington 150th bookmarks, which will be available at City libraries and included in student backpacks at AISD’s annual Back-to-School event. This collaboration celebrates both creativity and community pride in a way that brings families and students directly into the anniversary festivities.
The Tomorrow Foundation’s gift also supports 150th Anniversary programming through beloved community partners who help bring Arlington’s story to life. Theatre Arlington will stage a 150th Historical Reenactment, the Quilter’s Guild will create a commemorative quilt, and the Arlington Museum of Art will present a special sesquicentennial exhibit. Additional projects include a “150 Years of Performing Arts” showcase by Dance Theater Arlington, an original anniversary song by the Arlington Community Band, and support for an Independence Day Parade float. Funding also extends to Arlington ISD for Back-to-School T-shirts, along with archival materials, a time capsule and a commemorative tree marker.
To honor the dedication of City employees, the Foundation is launching a limited-time sesquicentennial employee matching program titled “150th Legacy Matching: Your cause. Our gift.” This $150,000 initiative will match employee donations to qualified Arlington-based nonprofits from April 1 through Dec. 31, 2026.
With a minimum gift of $150 and up to a $2,000 match per employee, the program empowers staff to amplify the impact of the causes they care about most. Operated on a first-come, first-served basis, this program underscores the Foundation’s belief in employee service and its power to strengthen the community.
To bring Arlington’s 150th Anniversary to life throughout the city, the City’s 150th Anniversary celebrations will include a range of marketing and celebratory items that help residents share in the excitement. From a dedicated historical website and commemorative flags at City facilities to vibrant window clings, Abram Street banners, yard signs, mini flags for the Independence Day Parade, and keepsake items like stickers, lapel pins and t‑shirts, these elements will help create a joyful atmosphere throughout the year.