Franklin County Honors America’s 250th with Living History, Community Pride, and a Traveling Bell

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  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
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The Franklin County Courthouse in Chambersburg, Pa.

Aired; July 25th, 2025.

Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation. 

As America approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, is taking a dynamic and deeply local approach to honoring the milestone through the statewide initiative, America 250PA. With a strong focus on community, heritage, and education, the Franklin County Visitors Bureau is leading the charge to ensure their corner of Pennsylvania—and the nation’s history—is not overlooked.

“Pennsylvania is kind of like ground zero of everything that took place,” said Janet Pollard, Executive Director of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau. “It is fitting that we would be working with America 250PA to celebrate this milestone in our American history.”

While much of the American Revolution is often associated with Philadelphia, Franklin County’s contributions were critical and enduring. From the sharpshooters of Thompson’s Rifle Battalion to the region’s colonial and frontier history, the county is weaving these narratives into a yearlong celebration that brings the past to life.

“So much happened throughout the rest of the state… We all have our stories. They’re Pennsylvania stories, they’re America’s stories, and Franklin County was right there on the edge of the frontier,” Pollard emphasized.

The America 250 PA Committee in Franklin County includes more than 35 organizations—from the Franklin County Historical Society to the Cumberland Valley School of Music—showcasing a strong county-wide commitment. Path Valley Historical Society, Fort Loudon, and the Allison-Antrim Museum are just a few of the many contributors offering unique perspectives and programming.

One of the most anticipated elements is Franklin County’s Bell Across PA, a painted commemorative bell that will travel across the region. Currently being painted by local artist Andy Finch, it’s set for dedication on September 20 at 1 p.m. at the Franklin County Visitors Bureau in Chambersburg.

“Look in the window of the foundry past the square—you’ll see the progress. She’s painting it right there in the windows,” Pollard said. “After the unveiling, we’ll have some living history, some music, and then the bell will move from place to place in the county.”

With these engaging efforts, Franklin County is embracing its rich past while fostering pride and awareness for generations to come.

As Pollard aptly put it, “It’s a really cool thing to be a living, breathing person when America is celebrating 250 years of independence.”