History enthusiasts, Revolutionary era descendants and freedom revelers from across Schuylkill County came together Wednesday in Barnesville in a toast to liberty and early pioneers who made it possible.

The America 250 Birthday Bash and Tamaqua Liberty Tree Park Fundraiser took place at Mountain Valley Golf Course on Brockton Mountain Drive and was an official event to ring in America 250 throughout the county.

Some dug out their finest patriotic garb to help give the evening a distinctively Colonial flare. The celebratory red, white and blue theme was hard to miss and event staffers said they were pleased with the turnout.

“We have 130 here,” said Micah Gursky, one of the organizers.

While there was no formal program, the mixer-type atmosphere encouraged attendees to network and share stories.

Many came to pay homage to the lives of colonists who took up arms to win independence, including some of their own ancestors.

“I’m a descendant of Burkhardt Moser,” said Eric Zizelmann, dressed as George Washington.

“My grandmother’s name was Whetstone, the family that was involved with the first wedding,” he said, alluding to the first marriage ceremony performed in Tamaqua’s 1801 Moser Log Home on Christmas Day 1820.

Another said his ancestors arrived in America a bit later and his own personal devotion to history continues to enrich his life.

“I started teaching American history in 1998,” said Tamaqua Area High School educator Stephen Ulicny, dressed as Benjamin Franklin.

In fact, Ulicny is a Franklin scholar with extensive knowledge of Franklin’s role in Colonial America.

Zizelmann said Ulicny is well versed in knowledge about that era.

“He knows more about Ben Franklin than Ben Franklin did,” said Zizelmann.

Still another attendee spoke of family ties and lineage under the Moser family.

“I’m a second cousin seven times removed to Burkhardt Moser,” said Ben Turrano of Tamaqua.

Turrano said he has other ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War including a colonel under George Washington.

Also on hand was Tamaqua native Marria O’Malley Walsh, Pottsville.

Walsh is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is descended from Christian Kaup, who arrived at the port of Philadelphia aboard the ship Snow Fox on Oct. 12, 1738.

The Kaup family farmstead was among the first to settle the Village of Home, today’s Hometown.

Among those who assisted with Wednesday’s event were volunteers from Tamaqua Business and Professional Women who greeted and registered guests.

Schuylkill County’s America 250 Celebration will continue into July.

On July 4, attention will turn to Liberty Tree Park on Railroad Street in Tamaqua, where the public is invited to attend a ceremony at the county’s Liberty Tree.