A nod to America 250

National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum launched a ‘revolutionary’ Declaration of Independence set as part of yearlong America 250 rollout.

As the country gears up for America’s 250th birthday, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is turning one of the nation’s most iconic historical moments into a modern collectible.

On Jan. 7, National Bobblehead Day, the Milwaukee-based museum and production company unveiled its Declaration of Independence bobblehead puzzle set, the first in a yearlong rollout of historically themed releases tied to the America 250 commemoration.

The limited-edition set features four Founding Fathers: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock. It’s designed to fit together as a dimensional recreation inspired by John Trumbull’s 1818 painting Declaration of Independence.

Each set is individually numbered to 1,776, and scheduled to ship in June, ahead of Fourth of July celebrations.

“We already carry a strong lineup of presidents, monuments and historic figures,” says co-founder Phil Sklar says. “Now we’re significantly expanding that. We’ll be releasing additional historically themed bobbleheads tied to key dates and milestones throughout the year.”

For retailers, the category taps into a blend of nostalgia, patriotism and educational appeal. Sklar notes that historical pieces often resonate across age groups, from collectors to families and students looking for an engaging way to connect with the past.

“It’s something you can hold, display and interact with,” he says. “It can spark curiosity about history in a way that feels approachable and fun.”

Retail revolution

Political and patriotic bobbleheads have long been part of the collectible landscape, but Sklar sees milestone moments like America 250 as an accelerator.

With additional historical figures and themed releases planned throughout 2026, the museum’s production arm is positioning the category for sustained momentum beyond a single product drop.

All told, the Declaration set is one of more than 10,000 bobbleheads at the Bobblehead Museum and Hall of Fame. Its gift shop stocks more than 500 unique bobbleheads for sale, along with souvenirs such as apparel, stickers and drinkware.

With visitors coming from across the country, assortment is key. Regional sports mascots, national figures and pop-culture icons all sit alongside political and historical pieces. Clear price guides and category organization help shoppers navigate what can easily be an overwhelming assortment.

“The bobbleheads are the stars, but we make sure other merchandise is visible and easy to shop,” Sklar says of the museum’s retail strategy.

As for this year’s roll-out of stand-out historic bobbleheads: “There’s something universal about celebrating a birthday, especially one this significant,” Sklar says.