Plans to develop a new park in Tamaqua to house a tree descended from the last known Liberty tree are moving forward.

The Tamaqua Area Community Partnership Inc. and Tamaqua SOS (Save Our Station) recently acquired two blighted properties along North Railroad Street, where Liberty Tree Park will be created. Schuylkill County records note that the groups purchased 31 and 39 N. Railroad St. from Harold C. Hill for $67,000.

The partnership turned over the properties to the Borough of Tamaqua. The former homes will be leveled to make room for the proposed park.

Micah Gursky, the partnership’s executive director, noted that the borough already owns 33-37 N. Railroad St.

Liberty Tree Park will span between 31-39 N. Railroad St.

The park will house a tree from America250PA’s Liberty Tree Project, which is meant to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday. Each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties will be awarded a tree through a competitive process.

Liberty trees were used as symbolic meeting places for the “Sons of Liberty” in the years leading up to the American Revolution. The sapling that will be planted in the new park in the fall of 2025 is from the last remaining tree in Annapolis, Maryland.

To help create the park, the partnership’s Tamaqua Remembers Committee is seeking $250,000. In addition to the acquisition, demolition and development of this park and outdoor space, the Liberty Tree planting and interpretive displays are planned.

To donate, visit https://shorturl.at/Gr5rf