Fairfield is marking the nation’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a yearlong series of programs and exhibitions.

Michael Jehle, executive director of the Fairfield Museum and History Center, says the commemoration is an opportunity to reflect. “This commemoration for the Fairfield Museum is a chance to look at our history, but it’s also equally important an opportunity for us to have conversations about where we’re going as a community and where we’re going as a nation,” he said. “And we want to be able to facilitate some important conversations about what the future looks like for all of us.”

The official kickoff featured the unveiling of a new mural in the museum’s Creating Community exhibition gallery. Jehle says the mural “depicts the burning of Fairfield, which occurred in 1779 during the American Revolution, when British forces came to Fairfield and burned down most of the buildings here. It was a really devastating” event.

Fairfield plans a wide array of programs, community events and exhibitions throughout the year as part of the anniversary.