As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, community leaders, educators, elected officials and residents across Northeast Pennsylvania are looking beyond the nation’s semiquincentennial and imagining what America could become over the next 250 years. Their visions, while varied, share common themes of technological innovation, stronger communities, expanded opportunity and preserving the nation’s founding ideals of freedom, democracy and equality.
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Many respondents expressed optimism that advances in medicine, transportation and communication will dramatically reshape daily life by the year 2276. Others emphasized that technology alone will not define America’s future.
Some envisioned flying cars, cities resembling science-fiction films and a society increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, while others hoped America would remain grounded in compassion, community and respect for individual freedoms.
Although opinions differed on how dramatically the nation will change, contributors overwhelmingly agreed that America’s future will ultimately be shaped not only by technological progress, but by the values and relationships that connect its people.
Here are the responses to our question: What will America look like 250 years from now?
Cassandra Coleman, executive director, America250PA: “The more I’ve traveled Pennsylvania and learned about the people who shaped the last 250 years of American history, the more optimistic I’ve become about the future. Farmers, teachers, veterans, factory workers, small-business owners, immigrants, artists, scientists, and volunteers all helped move this country forward in ways they probably never could have imagined in their time. I don’t know exactly what America will look like 250 years from now. I do know that if we continue to invest in young people, care for our communities, and believe in one another, the next generations will keep building a country capable of meeting challenges we can’t foresee from 2026.”
Bill Gaughan, Lackawanna County commissioner: “Two hundred and fifty years from now, I hope America is still what it has always been at its core: a nation that chooses hope over fear, truth over conspiracy, and community over division. The names of today’s politicians and movements will be long forgotten, but the ideals that built this country must endure. I believe future generations will look back on our time and wonder why we spent so much energy fighting one another when there was so much work to do together. America’s story has never advanced through exclusion and resentment, but through the steady expansion of freedom, dignity, and opportunity. If we remain faithful to the promise of liberty, equality, and democracy, then 250 years from now America will not merely be older. It will be wiser, fairer, and more united than we found it.”
Alan K. Stout, executive director, Visit Luzerne County: “When you look at how much America has changed over the past 250 years, it’s very hard to imagine what it might look like 250 years down the road. In 1776, there were 13 colonies, not 50 states. People traveled on foot, horse, or boat. No cars. No planes. And not all people had equal rights. In so many ways, we continue to be a work in progress, and my hope is that with evolving views and increased technology, we become an even more tolerant and accepting nation, bonded more by brotherhood and sisterhood on both a national and global scale. In the first 250 years of this nation, there have been 11 official declarations of war and countless other conflicts. Let’s hope, over the next 250 years, there are far, far less. And let’s hope that people always remember that in order for this country to survive, we must remain the ‘United’ States of America.”
Jennifer M. Black, professor and chair of history, Misericordia University: “If we were to look 250 years in the future, my hope would be that we would have found a way to realize, more fully, the promises of the American Revolution — including the prescription of liberty and equality for all. Americans have traditionally disagreed about what that meant, and the role of the government in protecting the rights of individuals. But the promises of freedom and equality have been there all along — we just need to work hard to get there, and remember that the Founders designed our republic to uphold the common good. When everyone is working to better the common good, we might listen to each other better, resolve our differences, and work together more productively.”
Teri Ooms, founding CEO, The Institute: “I would like to think that 100 years from now we have learned from our mistakes, studied what has worked to improve our economy, quality of life, standard of living, community, and the environment to ensure all Americans live their best life. Mostly, I hope we operate in an environment of respect, listening, learning, understanding, collaboration, and peace.”
Austin Burke, local artist and former president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce: “Perhaps a vision of Northeastern Pennsylvania can serve as one small piece of that larger puzzle, few pixels within a much greater American image. Our population will likely grow as climate change and shifting coastlines make living in our region more desirable. Advances in communication and transportation will create new economic opportunities and support these evolving lifestyles. As the population grows, cultural changes will follow. Languages, traditions, and customs will continue to evolve. The needs of an aging population, families, and communities will inspire a renewed commitment to community organizations and greater individual involvement in civic life. We will still have political and cultural differences. We will continue to face challenges related to poverty, individual aspirations, and special needs. There will be competing proposals and policies for addressing those challenges. I believe that by 2276, both Northeastern Pennsylvania and America as a whole will once again look to established religious traditions for guidance and values, while also relying on communitywide volunteer organizations and individuals who seek to contribute to causes greater than themselves. America in 2276 will certainly be different from today, but it can also be more enriching, connected, and fulfilling.”
Allan Austin, professor of history, Misericordia University: “The United States will be transformed over the next 250 years. Change is inevitable, but specific predictions are just wild guesses. For certain, though, technology will continue to transform our world, ever more rapidly. The challenges inherent in our founding ideals — who are we as a people, and what are our core principles and values? — will also continue to spark conflict. All of this will reshape our society and culture in ways that will demand responses. We must hope that Americans will find ways to collaborate in solving such issues, building something better, even if beyond our ability to imagine.”
Max Conway, mayor of Dunmore: “My hope for America 250 years from now is simple … that we’re a kinder nation. I was raised to respect my neighbors, lend a hand when someone needs help, and treat people with decency, even when we disagree. It feels like we’ve lost a lot of that along the way. I hope future generations rediscover the value of kindness, respect, and community, because those qualities are what really make our country great.”
Larry Newman, executive director, Diamond City Partnership: “I’d like to think that, 250 years from now, America will be a nation whose ongoing strength is built upon a foundation of healthy, vibrant local communities — including places like Wilkes-Barre. But to successfully reach America’s quincentenary, we must recommit to our nation’s founding ideals and values, rediscover civic literacy, rebuild social capital, value education, learn from all of our history, be decent to each other, and live up to that famous quote often misattributed to Alexis de Tocqueville: ‘America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.’ ”
John Sheerin, Lackawanna County’s Electric City Trolley Museum: “In 250 years I believe the USA will look less like a single fixed nation and more like a highly connected technology-driven society. Artificial intelligence, healthcare innovation, climate adaptation will reshape how people live, work and govern. The real question is not how advanced America becomes but whether it remains humane, fair and grounded in freedom. I hope the progress ahead makes us wiser and not just smarter.”
Ushu Mukelo, president, Congolese Community of Scranton: “In my experience, the world becomes better with every passing moment we are given the chance to live. When I look at America and the world over the last 250 years, I see the footprint of progress everywhere, and there is no doubt that technology will remain at the center of our future — shaping mobility, communication, healthcare, and nearly every aspect of modern life. At the same time, I am not naïve to the fact that we have gradually lost our sense of community, and that concerns me deeply. As technology takes over more of our everyday lives, we risk appreciating togetherness and human connection less. My hope is that, while we embrace the convenience of technology and the benefits of capitalism, we also find balance and continue investing in strong, thriving communities. As human beings, we are at our best when we remain connected to one another.”
Mary Ann Moran-Savakinus, director Lackawanna Historical Society, with input from her staff : “We can envision a future where we have achieved our long-range goal to create a Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Archive. The Lackawanna Historical Society was incorporated in 1886, 140 years ago, with a mission to document, preserve and interpret the history of Lackawanna County, at the time a newly formed county, which was carved out of Luzerne County just eight years earlier in 1878. Since then the Society has strived to tell our story through its collection of books, photographs, maps, objects, letters, and other ephemera. We manage these collections in our headquarters, the Catlin House, but are quickly running out of space, leading us to begin a plan for a newly constructed building that will allow us to properly store the existing collection, obtain more items and share information through new technology. In this current world, individuals are most inclined to find information online, and are using AI more and more to find answers to simple questions. My hope is that this technology can be improved to provide more thoughtful responses so we can gain a clear understanding of the past as we look forward to the future.”
Danielle Matarella, director, Greater Hazleton Catholic Social Services: “I don’t know what it will look like, but what I’m hoping is that people still serve and do things with compassion and grace and dignity. I don’t know if that’s what it’s going to look like but that’s what I’m hoping.”
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Dominique Pane, Plains Twp.: “I would hope it would be something like ‘The Jetsons’ where cars are flying, but at the same time I feel like it would most likely be a modern version of what we’re dealing with now. I feel like technology is gonna take over quite a bit, even more than it is now, and I’m not sure what ways but I feel like we’re gonna rely on a lot of technology for every single thing even more than we do now.”
Erica Gavenonis, West Wyoming: “It depends on who we put in charge and what they do; I’m hoping for the best.”
London McKenna, Dupont: “I think it’s going to be very, very different, and I hope a little bit better.”
Kelly Serniak, Dupont: “More technology, but hopefully the same as far as where we came from and what we worked hard for and the freedoms of our country.”
Matt Serniak, Dupont: “Hopefully, the values and beliefs and freedoms of our country is still reigning proudly and people are still wildly proud to be American.”
Mikaela Gavalitz, Pottsville: “That really depends on whether we care for, or ignore, the health of our fragile ecosystem. Will civilization survive endless mass consumption of our earth’s natural resources? Will everything dry up and crumble into a pile of dust? I hope we recover from the dependence on war as a means of amassing astronomical profit for a certain few companies feeding the war machine and we become a nation of humanitarianism, free from the bonds of a corrupt capitalistic society run wild, and that everyone in the future is guaranteed a roof over their head, food in the pantry and the freedom to be who you are, unapologetically.”
Janice Passo, Pottsville: “I see it just like in that old movie ‘The Fifth Element.’ Aerial cars, no open spaces in cities and travel to vacation spots off Earth.”
Rev. Petro Zvarych, St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville: “The United States (will remain) a country that is fighting for freedom and respects human life … a beacon in a world (where) we have all these people strive for security and freedom. People (will) feel free here to worship God. Every community keeps their cultural identity. … That’s the beauty of this country.”
Barron “Boots” Hetherington, Schuylkill County commissioner: “We’ll have flying cars. We’re seeing stuff … from ‘Star Trek,’ now it’s real. I’m just (concerned if) artificial intelligence isn’t more than we can handle. (If) kids don’t want to learn to do math, kids don’t want to learn to read and write, that’s a little bit scary. I hope we can use artificial intelligence properly.”
Dylan Hoffman, 14, Pottsville: “There will be flying cars, buildings in the sky and robots doing everything humans can and cannot do.”
Sheree Lee Knarr, retired superintendent of schools, Pottsville: “George Jetson on steroids.”
Shawn Fitzpatrick, superintendent, Schuylkill Haven Area School District: “Our highways may be replaced by layers of air travel, with personal vehicles navigating designated flight paths while commercial transportation operates at higher altitudes. Advances in artificial intelligence, medicine and technology will likely transform nearly every aspect of daily life. Yet despite all those changes, I believe one thing will remain constant: the importance of investing in our children. No matter how advanced technology becomes, there will always be a need for caring adults to teach, mentor, encourage, and inspire the next generation. The future may be built with innovation, but it will always be shaped by human relationships.”
Brian Waite, superintendent, Shenandoah Valley Area School District: “Over the past 250 years, America has repeatedly expanded the meaning of freedom, opportunity and citizenship, often imperfectly and through periods of conflict and change. If that pattern continues, I believe America 250 years from now will be more diverse, more technologically advanced, and more interconnected than we can imagine today. Yet its greatest strength will remain unchanged: ordinary citizens working together to solve challenges and build a better future. While the tools and technologies will evolve, the enduring pursuit of liberty, self-government and opportunity for future generations will continue to define the American story.”
Ty-Son Handley, Pottsville: “Look how long we’ve been here now and everything’s the same. There’s going to be more technological advances, but everything will be the same.”
Brigitte King, Pottsville: “We could revert to traditional values or go in the opposite direction. Or, it could go both ways. We don’t know. It has a lot to do with how people want to live their lives.”
Kaquan Hendricks, Scranton: “Everything’s AI. And we won’t get to really know other people.”
Devin Breese, Scranton: “I hope people are more accepting, but I’m scared technology will take over. I’m scared technology will take over and we won’t see other humans.”
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