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Pair take planning talents to national stage in Philadelphia

30 states, 43 Pa. counties attended three-day event

PHILADELPHIA — When Jessica Eaton Guyer heard America250PA was hosting the national convening of states and partners ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial in Philadelphia, her historical senses went on overload.

Guyer, curator at the Tuscarora Academy Museum in Mifflin, volunteer at the Juniata County Historical Society and a history buff, couldn’t wait to arrive in the city of Brotherly Love, which certainly played an important role in the founding of the United States.

After all, it’s where the nation’s Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The three-day convening, organized by America250PA, also known as the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial, commemorated the 250th anniversary of the First Continental Congress at Carpenters’ Hall in 1774.

“I really don’t know what I fully expected from it, but it far surpassed my expectations – every part of it,” Guyer said.

“Every conference has panels, workshops and breakout sessions, but it was so exciting to learn what every county was doing,” Guyer added. “I took five pages of notes.”

Guyer, the America250PA representative for Juniata County, attended the three-day event with Bailey Imes, representative from the Juniata County Historical Society, on Sept. 20-22.

The two women were honored to represent Juniata County. There were 30 states, 43 Pennsylvania counties and more than 250 partners in attendance.

“We came away from the weekend so inspired and energized to really get detailed with planning our county’s celebration in 2026!” Guyer said. “The America250PA team were incredible hosts in our nation’s birthplace. I am ‘Pennsylvania Proud!'”

“After all, America was founded here, saved here, built here, and powered here,” Guyer added.

At the welcome reception on opening day, attendees had rooftop views of Independence Hall while watching the Sixers Stixers Drumline Group and Historical Philadelphia History Makers costumed historical interpreters.

“They really rolled out the red carpet for us,” Guyer said. “We got the VIP treatment all weekend.”

Guyer and Imes got to meet the highly-entertaining celebrity Carson Kressley, former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker and State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff. Emmy Award-winning producer and storyteller Ryan Leckey was the Emcee for the weekend.

On day two, the National Constitution Center hosted the pair for seven hours of educational panels and workshops, which they both considered very inspiring content.

Panelists and moderators were the heads of the Smithsonian, Library of Congress, Independence National Historical Park, U.S. Capitol and Museum of the American Revolution. They also took a private tour of Independence Hall and attended a reception at Carpenter’s Hall.

“This was extra special to us since Carpenter’s Hall is where the founder of Mifflintown, John Harris, was a part of Pennsylvania’s Provincial Conference in the summer of 1776 at the same time our founding fathers were right down the street working on the Declaration of Independence for our country,” Guyer said.

America250PA was just getting started. “Then we got a police escort buzzing through the busy city traffic and intersections to attend a gala at the gorgeous Memorial Hall,” Guyer added. “It was built for the 1876 national centennial. The evening kicked off with carousel rides and then entertainment by Ireland’s premier violinist Patricia Treacy, a great kids dance troupe from Chester, Emmy-winning rapper Frzy, and the extraordinary Chloe Flower, a classical/hip hop crossover pianist who has performed on the Grammy’s and with Cardi B, Celine Dion, Nas, and many others.”

Flower happens to be a native of Mechanicsburg.

Guyer and Imes are invigorated for Juniata County’s celebration of America250PA and can’t wait to get started. Imes, an elementary school teacher, was inspired with ideas of ways to incorporate the milestone into the classroom.

One of the first tasks is to customize the America250PA logo to fit marketing for events in Juniata County. During a workshop, Guyer came up with the slogan, “Discover Your Origin Story!”

Guyer has confirmed one date, or rather ruling out a date that the Juniata County festivities will be taking place on. “We will not be having our main celebration on the nation’s birthday – on July 4,” she explained. “People have vacations, family stuff and families and communities have their own celebrations. We’re looking at June 2026 for our big celebration leading up to the nation’s milestone birthday.”

She also reminds officials from townships and boroughs to make certain they’ve signed a resolution supporting this initiative. There are still two boroughs and seven townships outstanding.

For more information, visit www.america250pa.org and look for “America250PA – Juniata County” on social media.

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