While 2026 is over a year away, Lebanon County’s America250 Commission is already hard at work planning for the Declaration of Independence’s 250th birthday.
The commission was formed in the spring with just a few members. Josie Ames, who was among the first to join the committee, said Lebanon County is actually behind schedule compared to other counties in Pennsylvania.
“I know it’s 2024, and people aren’t really thinking about that, but I am, because it’s a lot of work,” said Ames, explaining that Lebanon was “late in the game” for all the work that goes into planning even compared to the county’s Bicentennial planning timeline.
Read More: [Photo Story] How did Lebanon County celebrate America’s bicentennial in 1976?
Ames said the commission is coordinating with Lebanon city Mayor Sherry Capello to organize a large free community picnic for the Fourth of July 2026 at the Expo Center. She also said the commission is looking into means of providing free transportation to the picnic for residents without vehicles.
She said she hopes the city’s annual fireworks show — typically held at Coleman’s Park — might be held near the Expo Center instead.
Some Semiquincentennial plans are happening sooner than one might think — a cutting from the original Liberty Tree will be planted at the Cornwall Iron Furnace sometime this month, Ames said.
The $2,000 cutting will be sponsored half by Pennsylvania Freemasons and half by Ames on behalf of her late husband, Commissioner Bill Ames.
For now, Ames said, a lot of the work is getting the word out about 250PA and getting feedback from residents, as well as coordinating with other groups that may also be planning for 2026.
In addition to setting up at local events like Hinkelfest and the Lebanon Area Fair, the commission is also holding a community roundtable at the Expo Center at 4 p.m. Oct. 24 to solicit feedback from residents.
Other plans for 2026 include a reading of the Declaration of Independence, which Ames said state Reps. Russ Diamond and John Schlegel have agreed to participate in, colonial plays, and the recognition of six veterans in Lebanon County (organized by County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz).
Ames said the commission is also hard at work establishing a list of revolutionary graves in the county, estimating that there are around 350 of these graves in total.
Ames and the other commission members have been attending regional meetings to develop ideas alongside other counties, but she said “my philosophy is that we’re gonna do our own thing.”
The state of Pennsylvania has requested every county to commission an approved replica of the Liberty Bell, but has not provided them with funding to do so. For a brass bell, Ames said, the cost is $250,000, which she described as “unattainable for Lebanon County.” Instead, the commission hopes to secure sponsors to obtain a $10,000 fiberglass bell.
Ames urges municipal governments, and local organizations to reach out to her at josephinecames@gmail.com to coordinate as they begin planning for the Semiquincentennial. Residents can also follow along with planning at the commission’s Facebook page.
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