Editor’s note: Today we begin our look back at events that happened in 2025. For more stories, see page 6. We will continue these stories through Wednesday.

By Jill Whalen

jwhalen@tnonline.com

To mark the 250th birthday of the United States, each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties is receiving a sapling from the last known remaining Liberty Tree.

The saplings are part of America250PA’s Liberty Tree project, and several were planted in 2025.

Tamaqua was selected as Schuylkill County’s recipient, and created Liberty Park to serve as the Liberty Tree’s home. The sapling was planted in September.

Carbon County’s tree was planted in Weissport Park in Weissport. Monroe County put its sapling at the Old Mill in Stroudsburg. Also locally, the Colonial Industrial Quarter in Bethlehem was chosen as Northampton County’s site, and the George Taylor House in Catasauqua earned the honor of hosting the tree in Lehigh County.

According to America250, the Sons of Liberty often convened under the nation’s original Liberty Tree in Boston during the American Revolutionary War. The British destroyed the tree, but new Liberty Trees were designated.

The last known original Liberty Tree was on the campus of Saint John’s College in Maryland until it was destroyed by Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Seedlings from that tree are being planted.

Also, a “Bells Across PA” initiative began placing 3-foot fiberglass bells in counties. A bell depicting Carbon County history was placed in Weissport Park in October.

In 2026, counties will hold celebrations throughout the year, with Carbon County’s kickoff scheduled for Jan. 18 at Memorial Park in Jim Thorpe.