Meridian and Google Arts & Culture Celebrate America’s 250th

As the United States prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, Meridian International Center and Google Arts & Culture convened diplomats, government officials, business leaders, and cultural partners for the Making of the Nation Garden Party: Diplomacy at 250 at Meridian House on June 24. The evening explored how emerging technologies can help preserve, interpret, and share America's cultural heritage with audiences around the world while celebrating the enduring role of culture in diplomacy. 

Ahead of the reception, Meridian hosted a roundtable bringing together Meridian leadership, Google executives, senior government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps for a discussion and demonstration of how artificial intelligence is transforming the ways cultural institutions preserve history, expand access to collections, and engage global audiences. 

The evening continued with a garden party celebrating America's upcoming semiquincentennial, where guests experienced a series of interactive activations developed in partnership with Google. Using Google Gemini, attendees created commemorative postcards and participated in an AI-powered photo experience, while other installations invited guests to explore America's national parks, revisit pivotal moments from the American Revolution, and discover how digital technologies can bring history to life. Outside Meridian House, a Waymo autonomous vehicle highlighted the role innovation continues to play in shaping the nation's future. 

During the reception, Natalie Jones, Meridian Executive Vice President, Aaron Hedlund, Vice Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, and Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs at Google & Alphabet, delivered remarks reflecting on America's approaching 250th anniversary and the opportunities for technology to preserve and share the nation's cultural heritage with audiences around the world. Their remarks underscored the importance of collaboration across the public and private sectors to ensure history remains accessible, engaging, and relevant for future generations. 

Blending history, technology, and international engagement, the event reflected Meridian's commitment to fostering dialogue across sectors and borders. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Making of the Nation Garden Party: Diplomacy at 250 demonstrated how partnerships between the public and private sectors can preserve cultural heritage while inspiring new generations to engage with the stories that define America. 

Project summary

Meridian and Google Arts & Culture Celebrate America’s 250th | June 2027
Program Areas:	Diplomatic Engagement