While Independence Day this year might still be a little over a month away, already, one group is planting the seeds for the United States' 250th anniversary on July 4th 2026. 

The organization "America 250 PA," along with the Freemasons of Pennsylvania, planted a Liberty Tree - based off a historic symbol from the Revolutionary War - on the corner of W. 6th St. and Peninsula Dr. to commemorate the big celebration, and plan to spread their roots across the Commonwealth, by planting a tree in each of the state's 67 counties. 

"So America 250 PA is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Commission that was charged with planning and coordinating all the programming, projects, and events around the 250th anniversary of the United states in 2026," said Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America 250 PA. "We're really excited to partner with the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on the Liberty Tree Project. These Liberty Trees are propagated from the original liberty tree that revolutionaries used to make their plans under almost 250 years ago. And we're really excited to plant one of these symbolic symbols of history in all 67 counties."

The trees being planted are ancestors of the original Liberty Tree in Boston, where colonists would plan and organize resistance against the British leading up to the Revolutionary War, before it was cut down by Loyalists in 1775. 

But now, Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor says this will renew interest in local and national history. 

"It gets local interest in not only the tree's history, where the tree came from, but local interest about what's happening historically in their area," said DeFoor. 

And Matt Greene, Park Operations Manager of Presque Isle State Park, says it's an honor having this piece of history on their front yard. 

"This is the first [tree] that's going in a State Park, and to me, it just makes sense," said Greene. "We're the confluence of people and nature, and the whole story of the Liberty Tree is that."

America 250 PA has already planted trees in several other counties across the state, including Mercer and Crawford counties.