America 250PA, in Partnership with The Pennsylvania Freemasons, Presents The Liberty Tree Project in Clarion County

The Pennsylvania Masons and A250PA’s Colin Sheffer join Commissioner Wayne Brosius, Mayor Jennifer Fulmer Vinson, and State Representative Josh Bashline to plant Clarion County’s Liberty Tree

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CLARION COUNTY, PA – On Sunday, May 4, America250PA, in proud partnership with the Pennsylvania Freemasons, celebrated a Liberty Tree Dedication Ceremony at Clarion County Veterans Park in Clarion County. These ceremonies are part of a multi-year initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Through this partnership, a certified Liberty Tree will be planted in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties in advance of the milestone year.

In attendance at the Clarion County Liberty Tree Ceremony were Clarion County Commissioner Wayne Brosius, Clarion Mayor Jennifer Fulmer Vinson, and State Representative Josh Bashline, who also sponsored the Clarion County Liberty Tree.

“America250PA is truly a historic Commission that provides the Commonwealth a platform to showcase our Pennsylvania pride on the national stage,” said Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA. “We are most appreciative of the partnership with the Pennsylvania Freemasons. Without their support, this project would not be possible. Our goal is to highlight 250 years of contributions of Pennsylvanians to our nation. Planting certified Liberty Trees and watching them grow over the next 250 years, just as our Commonwealth and nation did over the last 250 years, is something we are excited to be part of and leave here as a legacy of this Commission for future generations.”

During the American Revolutionary War, the Sons of Liberty would often gather under the original Liberty Trees. In 1775, the British destroyed a symbolic Liberty Tree in Boston, though it did not stop revolutionaries throughout the 13 colonies from using these trees as meeting places. One Liberty Tree, which stood on the campus of St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, survived until 1999, before it was badly damaged by Hurricane Floyd. Thanks to landscaper Mark Mehnert, this historic Liberty Tree, a Tulip Poplar, was rescued and propagated. Now, seedlings from the graft of this original Liberty Tree are being planted across the Commonwealth as part of The Liberty Tree Project.

Ahead of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence in 2026, America250PA is partnering with organizations and individuals across the Commonwealth to make 2026 E.P.I.C, as they Educate, Preserve, Innovate and Celebrate Pennsylvania’s past, present and future. In the spirit of American liberty, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania will be sponsoring the planting of a Liberty Tree in each of the 67 counties across the Commonwealth. A plaque placed beside each tree will indicate the planting of each tree by America250PA and the Pennsylvania Freemasons. 

“Thousands of brave men made the ultimate sacrifice for liberty during the Revolution,” said Robert Brink, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. “Many of our nation’s founding fathers were Freemasons, and undoubtedly, they were among the men who met beneath Liberty Trees to plan the revolt and fight for freedom. I cannot think of a more appropriate way to observe the 250th Anniversary of our nation than to beautify our great state and enliven the spirit of patriotism throughout our great Commonwealth.”