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MIFFLINTOWN -- A little tree with a big history could soon be growing in Juniata County.
Jessica Eaton Guyer, curator for the Tuscarora Academy Museum and volunteer with the Juniata County Historical Society, is Juniata County's representative on the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States' semi quincentennial celebration, which is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.
Guyer is spearheading the effort to select a location to plant a Liberty Tree in Juniata County, but she'd like your input. She has taken to social media to brainstorm ideas with the public and generate interest.
"During the American Revolutionary War, the Sons of Liberty often convened under the nation's original Liberty Tree in Boston, which became a beacon of hope to colonists and a symbol of American freedom," according to the America250PA website.
"In an attempt to stymie those colonists, the British destroyed Boston's Liberty Tree. In response, Patriots throughout the 13 colonies began to designate new Liberty Trees," it continued.
The last known original Liberty Tree was destroyed by Hurricane Floyd when it swept through Saint John's University in Maryland in 1999. Seeds from a grafting of this tree were collected and grown into seedlings. Officials want to plant one seedling in each of the state's 67 counties, including those located in the Juniata Valley.
"The main purpose for the tree is that it's supposed to tie in with the American Revolution," Guyer explained. "And of course it must be on publicly accessible ground. While we have many places in our county that can be linked to the American Revolution, most of them are now private land or private residences.
"Presently, the top contender for a possible place to plant a tree is one of the cemeteries that has the highest number of revolutionary soldiers," she added. "However, I must first ask the America250PA Commission if cemeteries are permissible and, if so, check with the cemetery associations that have burials of soldiers to see if they would permit the planting of the tree."
Guyer's research so far has revealed about 80 Revolutionary War veterans buried in Juniata County. It remains a work in progress as well as a labor of love for her.
"Did you know that John Harris, founder of Mifflintown, and arguably a founding father of our county and of Pennsylvania, was one of the men who met at the Provincial Conference in Philadelphia's Carpenter's Hall in the summer of 1776?" Guyer quipped.
"This led to him being selected as one of the eight delegates to help frame the first constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention of 1776," she added. "We are all the continued results of the sacrifices of Harris and others like him, which makes us especially suited to drive home these points leading up to and during the celebration in 2026."
America250PA has multiple signature projects and programs that they are working on to ring in the 250th anniversary of America. Besides the Liberty Tree Project, the Bells Across PA art series will commission Pennsylvania artists to design fiberglass replica Liberty Bells and have at least one bell placed in each of the 67 counties.
The bell will be painted by a local artist and sponsored by businesses or individuals. Artists can submit their designs to be painted onto the bells.
"Imagine the decorated geese around Mifflin County for Goose Day, only it's a Liberty Bell," Guyer said. "The artist that is selected for our county's bell will receive an honorarium of $1,250."
The contest is open to all Pennsylvania artists and groups from the acclaimed to amateurs. Painters, sculptors, craftsmen, multimedia artists and other wildly creative people are all encouraged to apply.
The location for the bell doesn't have to be linked to the American Revolution, but it still must be placed on publicly accessible land.
At the moment, the top contender for a bell in Juniata County is at the Pomeroy-Academia Covered Bridge, which is the longest covered bridge remaining in Pennsylvania, Guyer said.
As far as planning for the America250 celebration in 2026, Guyer said the goal for Juniata County is to have one small event in each of the 13 townships and four boroughs.
"Having someone from each of those providing input would help to make sure that every corner of Juniata County's 394 beautiful square miles is represented with no area left behind or forgotten. We'd like to begin talks soon since, as the slogan goes, "Start Here, America Did!"
We currently have nine people who have expressed willingness to help, which represent Mifflintown Borough and the townships of Beale, Fayette, Fermanagh, Milford, Spruce Hill and Tuscarora.
Anyone with a suggestion or wants to help is encouraged to contact Guyer at (717) 571-5859 or visit the Facebook page at America250PA - Juniata County.
Mifflin County recognizes pioneer Buchanan
Jenna Stoner, information manager for the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau and Mifflin County's representative on the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States' semi quincentennial celebration, also has some new projects in the works and ideas upcoming.
Like Guyer, Stoner is working on determining the best spot for planting a Liberty Tree.
"I have identified a potential location for a Liberty Tree to be planted here in Mifflin County and have suggested that location to the Pennsylvania Freemasons and America250PA for approval," she explained.
Stoner is also working to celebrate one of Mifflin County's most recognizable historical heroes.
"To celebrate the 250th anniversary here in Mifflin County, I want to look back and highlight one of our local pioneers, Dorcas Buchanan," Stoner said. "Buchanan was the first European woman settler in Mifflin County and was here in the county before, during and after the Revolution.
"She was known as a very successful and admired business woman as she ran a trading post and owned and managed 300 acres of land which eventually became the town of Lewistown," she added. "She died in 1804 at the age of 93 and was buried in the Old Town Cemetery on South Brown Street. I want to celebrate the life of Dorcas Buchanan and educate our locals and visitors of how important she was in helping pioneer our area."
To tell Buchanan's story and success, Stoner plans to collaborate with the Mifflin County Historical Society and create a special brochure.
Along with creating the brochure, the historical society also has plans to repair the stone walls at the Old Town Cemetery where Dorcas Buchanan and others are buried. The walls to be repaired face West Water Street and Mill Street.
There are also plans to feature a mural that explains the history of the cemetery and the life story of Dorcas Buchanan on the wall facing West Water Street. They're hopeful that these repairs will be completed by 2026 to showcase this project during the 250th anniversary festivities.
"I'm excited to see all these projects come to fruition," Stoner said. "This will create a reason for locals to learn more about their heritage and for visitors to come and experience the great history we have here in Mifflin County."
For more information, contact Stoner at jstoner@jrvvisitors.com. She added a Facebook page for Mifflin County was recently created, at America250PA - Mifflin County.