Getting Ready for America’s 250th Birthday
Photo courtesy of America 250 PA Clearfield County
Samantha Palmer, Head of Programming at the Curwensville Public Library is holding “K is for Keystone,” written by author Kritsten Kane. The book, originally published in 2003, uses the alphabet to share Pennsylvania’s history and geography. As part of the upcoming Semiquincentennial celebration to be held in 2026 for America’s 250th anniversary, this commemorative edition was distributed to all Clearfield County libraries.
By Julie Rae Rickard
CLEARFIELD – I remember our country’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976, where everyone had some way to mark the occasion.
CBS did special history spots — “Bicentennial Minutes” featuring celebrities reminding us of our heritage — before their prime time programming each night.
Locally, WTAJ-TV had school children submit essays for a local version of the “Bicentennial Minutes” that aired at 7 p.m.
I remember this vividly because I was one of the students who won and appeared on the channel. I wrote about Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone.
My spot, for some unknown reason, actually aired three times. My dad joked that I was on television more than Lucille Ball.
Many products also marked the occasion. I remember collecting special 7 UP cans, trying to get all 50 states which, when put together, formed a giant Uncle Sam.
On July 4, 1976, I watched as hundreds of ships from all over the world sailed into New York’s harbor.
Many memories were made that year and now it is almost time for our Semiquincentennial.
The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial or America250PA was established in 2018 to help coordinate the celebration for all 67 counties.
According to the America250PA website, the goal is to engage all citizens of the commonwealth in conversation about the state’s origins and multiple perspectives on the issues facing the state and nation, and to “use history to encourage and inspire future leaders, celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvanians to our commonwealth’s history but also to our Nation’s history, leave a lasting impact on the next generation and to spark an interest in which will ignite the drive for them to appreciate all the triumphs, trials and tribulations to which contributed to the commonwealth for which they are now writing their own history.”
Activities planned
Among the activities leading up to the 250th celebration is the planting of a Liberty Tree in each county. In Clearfield County, the tree was planted in Osceola Mills on May 10.
Each county will also get a replica of the Liberty Bell.
Local artists are being sought to design how the Clearfield County bell will be painted, according to Brandy Owens, Visit Clearfield County’s travel development specialist.
Artists need to submit their designs to Harrisburg for approval, she said, noting there is a stipend available for the winning entries.
A collectible commemorative booklet listing events for both 2025 and 2026 is in the works and every community is encouraged to get involved by sending in information on their local celebrations, Owens said.
Owens, a “carpenter’s daughter,” is also creating a special three-tiered birthday cake made out of wood that will be showcased in local parades both this year and next. Volunteers to help in the crafting of the “cake” are welcome, she said, noting the “cake” will make its debut at the DuBois Community Days in June.
To include your town in the booklet or to volunteer assistance, contact Owens at 814-765-5734 or email a250paclearfieldcounty@visitclearfieldcounty.org.
“We can bring the 250 celebration to your event,” she added.
The task of overseeing the celebration plans is falling to the visitors bureau, aided by a special committee of 15 people from all areas of the county.
The committee is also working on a special T-shirt for the celebration, with the visitors center taking design submissions from elementary students to be featured on the shirts.
Plans are also in place for a History Trail, a family-friendly event that will include 15 major landmarks in the county.
Prizes will be available to those who complete the trail, Owens said.
As the state and country get closer to 2026, more and more national, state and local experiences commemorating our country’s birth will be scheduled.
Earlier this year, on the anniversary of Paul Revere’s overnight ride on April 18-19, 1775, people were encouraged to place two lights in their windows.
“Two Lights for Tomorrow” used “the imagery of that shining light 250 years ago as a uniting call to action today for our fellow citizens, no matter where they are, to commemorate and remind ourselves that our history is about working together for a better tomorrow.”
In DuBois, the Susquehanna Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently dedicated a memorial garden as a tribute to our patriots.The garden is at the Dubois American Legion Park near the artillery gun.
To follow all the local 250th birthday celebrations, check out the Facebook page, America 250 PA Clearfield County.