Blighted properties in Tamaqua are coming down to make way for a tree descended from the last known original Liberty Tree.

Officials gathered near the North Railroad Street site Friday afternoon to announce the award of the tree — and plans to convert the area where it will be planted into “Liberty Tree Park.”

“It’s going to be a very nice project for the Borough of Tamaqua. It’s going to be a very nice project for Schuylkill County as well,” said Tamaqua Borough Council President Brian Connely.

Connely said council acquired three dilapidated properties between 31 and 39 N. Railroad St. They’ll be leveled with help from Schuylkill County demolition funds.

“Get a good picture of those properties because they are coming down,” said Micah Gursky, executive director of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.

The idea for the tree — and the park — began when Eric Zizelmann heard about America250PA’s Liberty Tree Project.

The trees are meant to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and are awarded through a competitive process.

“In preparation for the country’s 250th anniversary, the Masonic Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the America250PA Committee is planting one Liberty Tree sapling in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties,” said Zizelmann, a member of the partnership’s Tamaqua Remembers Committee.

Tamaqua’s application was chosen from among 18 received from Schuylkill County.

“The last surviving Liberty Tree of the original 13 Colonies was a 400-year-old tulip poplar at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, that was destroyed by Hurricane Floyd in 1999,” Zizelmann said.

Tamaqua’s sapling is coming from that tree.

“To date, Tamaqua is the only location in the state creating a park specifically for a Liberty Tree,” Zizelmann said.

He said that while some might view it as “just a tree,” it is much more than that.

“What that tree represents is as big as this whole country,” he said. “We’re very honored and we’re very excited at where this project will go.”

The tree will be planted in the fall of 2025. By that point, the three properties will be gone.

“We raised the money to acquire the property. We have the county’s help to demolish it, but we still need money to build the park,” Gursky said.

“This is just the beginning. The committee is going to be looking for volunteers. We are going to be looking for donors. This park is going to be as nice as the donations that come in.”

State Sen. David Argall, who helped the borough secure demolition funds, said the buildings across from the Tamaqua Train Station are an eyesore.

He said he has had many conversations with folks who ask what could be done with them.

“I’m very, very pleased that sometime in the future, we’re going to be looking at something much more scenic than what you see today,” Argall said. “I think this park will be enjoyed.”

State Rep. Jamie Barton spoke about the tree and its significance.

“Two hundred and fifty years ago, colonists may have gathered just like we are gathering here today, but they weren’t celebrating freedom, they weren’t celebrating liberty — they were preparing to fight for it,” Barton said. “Without those brave folks standing up for what was right, we’d be living in a very different America.

“Those folks saw the Liberty Tree as a beacon of hope, and it became a symbol of American freedom.”

Schuylkill County Commissioners Chairman Larry Padora grew up near the proposed site.

“I’m very proud of the people involved. I’m very proud of the people of Tamaqua and I’m very proud of the Schuylkill County,” he said. “God Bless America. Remember our founding and what it meant.”

Commissioner Barron “Boots” Hetherington said the park will be an asset.

“Having blight taken away and having this wonderful park with this national heritage just warms my heart,” he said.

Commissioner Gary Hess said the tree and the park is a “great way” to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

“I’ve always said that Tamaqua is the most proactive community that I’ve seen in Schuylkill County,” Hess said. “I might get in trouble with other communities, but I’m going to tell the truth.

“Other communities emulate to what Tamaqua is doing. Keep up the good work. You do the good work and other communities are following your lead, and that makes Schuylkill County all the better.”

Liberty trees

The Liberty Tree indeed dates back to the American Revolution.

According to America250PA:

“During the American Revolutionary War, the Sons of Liberty often convened under the nation’s original Liberty Tree in Boston, to discuss their opposition to British rule in the colonies.

“This historic tree became a beacon of hope to colonists and a symbol of American freedom. In an attempt to stymie these colonists, the British destroyed Boston’s Liberty Tree.”

Patriots throughout the 13 Colonies began to designate new Liberty Trees.

Liberty Trees have been planted in nearby counties, including:

Carbon County — Weissport Borough Park.

Lehigh County — George Taylor House, Catasauqua.

Monroe County — Old Mill Park, Stroudsburg.

Northampton County — Colonial Industrial Quarter, Bethlehem.