HTI and America 250 - The BIG Year

---

In the summer of 2024, Taylor Ireland was accepted into the Hancock County Leadership Program   through the Findlay Hancock County Chamber of Commerce. It is a nationally recognized 9 month program designed to develop and cultivate all people with a passion to serve our community through a dynamic learning experience that encourages self-discovery, fosters relationships and inspires stewardship.

It was October 2024 when her classmates met for their Findlay History session where she was introduced to the idea America 250. The class was challenged by the Hancock Historical Museums Director on how their organizations could contribute to American 250 and the celebrations for the year 2026. Taylor instantly approached the Director and shared how HTI would like to participate: by creating a mural of America's history in timeline form decaled on both sides of a 53 foot reefer trailer in their fleet. Through the help of a local designer, Greg Hogrefe with Hogrefe Illustration & Design, many edits and a multi - step install process, the idea was finally brought to life  in December of 2025. 

Taylor's hopes for the trailer, "To have the trailer impact people the way it has impacted me. To stand there and know what it took to get us to where we are today. To bring our country together"