A tulip poplar sapling, a tree with ancestry dating back to the Revolutionary War, was dedicated Sunday afternoon in Tamaqua as part of the America250PA project.

The “Liberty Tree” stands in the center of the newly built Liberty Tree parking along Railroad Street.

About 100 people attended the program. The main speaker was Leo Malsky, director of operations of America250PA.

He explained that a “Liberty Tree” is being planted in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties in preparation for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

The Liberty Tree project is sponsored throughout the state by the Freemasons.

Malsky presented a certificate to Joseph G. Martoccio of Beaver Meadows, district deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 45, for his involvement in the Schuylkill project.

Members of the Packer Commandery masonic chapter of Jim Thorpe were in charge of the Tamaqua program.

Malsky said the saplings are derived from the America’s last surviving liberty tree of the 13 original colonies.

In accepting the certificate, Martoccio said, “My hope is that this serves as a symbol of freedom for America for generations to come.”

Malsky said each county has a supporting sponsor for the Liberty Tree.

In Schuylkill County, the tree was obtained through the efforts of Tamaqua Area Community Partnerships.

Lawrence Padora, Schuylkill County Commissioner, said, “Our founding fathers gave us a form of government that has existed for 250 years” and urged that “people should be involved in their government.”

“I’m proud of this,” he said. “I’m proud of our country, I’m proud of our county, I’m proud of my hometown. This is what makes us great.”

Marria O’Malley Walsh of the Mahantongo Chapter of the DAR, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The National Anthem was sung by Emily Barrett.

The invocation and benediction were offered by the Rev. Dillon Epler, a cochair of the Tamaqua Liberty Tree Park Committee. The other cochair of the committee is Eric Zizelmann.