On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary. Each of the 67 counties throughout Pennsylvania are getting together to determine what they can do to prepare for the celebration.

Carbon County held an organizational meeting on Thursday at the county elections office, located at 44 Susquehanna St.

Representatives from various organizations, historical groups, legions, and local municipalities, along with other interested people, were on hand as county representative Kim Werley discussed several of the projects that America250PA, the state organization, is suggesting.

Werley said one of the first goals is to put together a steering committee to oversee Carbon County’s projects and ideas.

“Before the next general meeting in March, I would like the steering committee to get together as a smaller group and put together all the ideas we have, and get things started.”

Werley put together a list of things Carbon County has to offer to the history of the nation.

Carbon County has 23 municipalities, five school districts, and three state parks. There are 15 properties on the National Register, two National Historic Landmarks and 118 historical markers. And Werley cited at least 38 community organizations that were highlighted in articles in the Times News.

“I hope the enthusiasm builds, and more and more people come,” Werley said. “I want to reach out to the local groups, and I want to be involved with their ideas.”

Two projects were discussed in detail at the meeting.

In Bells Across PA, each county in Pennsylvania will have a 3-foot by 3-foot fiberglass bell that will be mounted on a 1-foot platform. The bells will be adorned and transformed by local artists and sponsored by businesses or individuals as part of America250PA’s efforts to celebrate the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

Details and the application form are on the website, America250pa.org, under the “Program, Projects & Events” tab.

Also, grants are being offered for nonprofit groups and government entities to apply for $5,000, $10,000, or $20,000 grants, which do require matching funds for projects that align with the America250 platform. The application process will begin April 1 and run until May 15, with recipients being announced on June 15. This is the second round of grants. The first round was awarded in December.

Marie Conley, the director for strategic partnerships from the America250PA state group, was enthusiastic about the interest in the county.

“This is a way to bring the entire community together, to celebrate and highlight all the tremendous things that Carbon County has to celebrate. Kim (Werley) did an amazing job highlighting all the unique qualities that really distinguish Carbon County from a lot of the counties from around the commonwealth.”

Goals include the formation of a leadership team, collaboration with existing organizations, and come up with some ideas on how each town, township and the county as a whole can celebrate between now and July 4, 2026.

“I’m very excited about the turnout,” Werley said of the meeting. “And there were a lot of people who had expressed interest and could not be here tonight.”

The next meeting, open to the public, will be Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carbon County Elections Building, 44 Susquehanna St., Jim Thorpe.

Anyone with questions or who would like to volunteer can contact Werley at mwerley@ptd.net or call 570-688-5394.