America250PA & America250PA Berks County Events

Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA, talks with Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach about the organization's history, mission, state-wide signature events, and upcoming Berks County major events in 2026.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:10

Welcome to another edition of County Connection. I'm your host, Brooks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach. It's 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and my guest has really been involved in getting ready for this celebration, Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America 250 PA. Welcome to County Connection. Thanks for having me. It seems like it was only yesterday when I first heard from you. But before we talk about America 250, just give us a little bit of background on yourself. What were you doing before you were doing America 250 PA?

SPEAKER_00 0:59

Sure. So my background is a little unique. So I actually was sworn in as the mayor of Exeterborough at the age of 20.

SPEAKER_01 1:07

And where's Exeterborough?

SPEAKER_00 1:08

Exeterborough's in Luzorne County. But at the age of 20, when I was a junior in college at King's College in Wilkes Bear. My grandfather had served in public service for over 30 years as council president and then mayor. Unfortunately, passed away in office. So I was appointed to fulfill his term, but then I was re-elected twice. So I served as mayor, then I went on to work in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and then to work for United States Senator Bob Casey, which led me to meeting an unknown business guy from York County named Tom Wolfe. So I ended up joining the Wolfe administration when Governor Wolfe had won. And, you know, I guess it was uh right place, right time. I was handling special projects statewide for the governor when this commission was officially passed by the legislature back in 2018. Think about that, 2018.

SPEAKER_01 1:59

So seems like a while ago, pre-COVID.

SPEAKER_00 2:02

Yes, so eight years, the governor called and said, Hey Cass, you want to, you know, figure this out? Let's get this going. And I fell in love with the project. Um, really truly fell in love with it. I'm actually the longest serving 250th director in the nation. Really? I am. Yes. I did not know that. Yes. So again, you know, it's been eight years of planning and programming and events and really just making sure that, you know, as many Pennsylvanians can be involved as possible.

SPEAKER_01 2:26

Early in your process, you reached out to me. I believe our connections through Casey. Yep. The Casey administration. Uh talk a little bit about first, how did America 250 start? Obviously, uh, I'm old enough, you may not remember. I do uh remember 1976. Uh I was 17 years old. But uh 250, it's a big celebration. Uh how did it get started uh at the federal level, and then what legislation uh governor, etc., started it here at the Commonwealth level?

SPEAKER_00 3:07

Yeah, of course. So oddly enough, um, when this legislation came through, I was not actually born for the bicentennial. So it took me a little while to figure out what this was. But um back in 2016, um, Congress passed legislation at the federal level, creating a national organization to plan and coordinate the 250th across the country. Pennsylvania, again, leading the nation as we have for 250 years, came out of the gate first and said, you know what, we want to also have a state commission to make sure that we are focusing on all 67 counties here in the birthplace of American democracy. Hence, you know, we were created back again in 2018. Um that was under Governor Wolf. It was a legislation that was passed. So the legislature, of course, passed the legislation and signed into existence by Governor Wolf. And one of the first things we did right out of the gate was make sure that we reached out to all of the former governors first. We wanted to show bipartisan support. And also, if you think about it, that was eight years ago. We wanted also to give the commission the credibility and you know just the importance that it needed in order for folks to really take it seriously.

SPEAKER_01 4:09

Making it clear this wasn't a Wolf administration initiative.

SPEAKER_00 4:12

That this was gonna be what was best for Pennsylvania. And if we did this right, we could have impact on communities across the Commonwealth and again continue to lead the nation for the 250th activities. So all former governors agreed to co-chair. And then, of course, when the administration changed, and now Governor Shapiro and his administration came into office. Again, open arms, and they have been amazingly helpful and willing as well. So Governor Wolf moved over to be a co-chair with the other former governors, and Governor Shapiro came on as a co-chair as well.

SPEAKER_01 4:40

Yeah, and it it has really been great to see uh you have people from both sides of the aisle coming together for something that is really historic, not just in our history, but when you look at the history of, and I know we can get into a debate, but we're not gonna do it now, democracy or republic. I believe we're a uh republic or a democratic constitutional republic. Uh governments don't last this long. Uh I would make any argument. You look at uh Western Europe, which should be closest to us, uh they have gone through restructuring, redesigns of governments, similar to what we did uh in 1787 with the Articles of Confederation. Uh it's really special, though, that we are able to have this kind of a celebration. So when you came on board, uh I know early on you you you pointed out Pennsylvania was the first. Uh Berks County was the first county to jump on board. We uh actually drew up our own resolution and formed our own committee, and the city of Reading was the first municipality uh to jump on board. Talk a little bit about what you had to do because it wasn't real easy. It wasn't like automatic, okay, yeah, we're in. Yeah. Uh it took several years to get the counties all on board.

SPEAKER_00 6:13

It did. And you know, the the goal for of America 250 PA from day one was we understand the birthplace of American Democracy is Philadelphia. And no one's gonna take that away, no one's trying to. But we wanted to make sure that every county and every Pennsylvanian could take part in this commemorative year. And so to your point, we reached out to you. Um, and Burks County was not only for the first in the state, but also the first in the nation. I don't know if you know that. No, I don't think. The first in the nation because all the other states actually are now using our template to have counties and municipalities pass.

SPEAKER_01 6:46

Well, you were the first to get all the counties on the city.

SPEAKER_00 6:48

We were the first state in the nation to have all 67 counties, but to your point, it was not easy. But because I think some counties, too, who did not have revolutionary history, said, you know, we'll we'll participate, but you know, we're really we're not engaging in this, or you know, and that has changed. That has changed dramatically across the board, and that's thanks to you, that's thanks to the leadership at CCAP, that's thanks to again to these county commissioners all across, from Vanango to Tyoga to Adams and everywhere in between that really just embraced this and said, you know what, we need to do this as a Commonwealth as a whole. All of our communities across the across the Commonwealth have unique stories and diverse stories, and all of that really threads the fabric of what makes us a Commonwealth. And we should be proud of that. So we really are, again, the first in nation and we're leading. And that's that's thanks to you. So I appreciate your support.

SPEAKER_01 7:39

It's thanks to the team. And you're the leader of our team. Uh I love how all the work that the gut past governors have done. Uh, but I know and you know, you're the one that's been going all across the Commonwealth. You've been at many of our County Commissioners Association uh meetings. And I do think one of the things you just touched on that has really brought it alive for a lot of counties is they really hadn't thought about it. And if they briefly thought about it, if they think Philadelphia, Independence Hall, Valley Forge, Liberty Bell, that's not my county. But when they start doing a little bit of research, they find out, like Berks County did, that we have our own Liberty Bell. We have the bell that rung in the county courthouse on July 8, 1776, calling people together for the first reading of the declaration. And virtually every single county in America has similar stories that they can tell because of the focus of the celebration. But it it the other aspect of this, you've taken on some signature projects. Uh some right out of the gate, some maybe came a year or two later, but they have been significant. Tell us about those.

SPEAKER_00 9:02

Yeah, so we've had over a dozen signature programs and projects that have been launched since inception of the commission. A few of those, you know, one, our Liberty Tree project. These Liberty Trees are propagated from the original Liberty Tree that the revolutionaries used to gather under and make their plans 250 years ago. So for us in partnership with the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge and the Masonic, you know, the Masonic um uh folks, that you know, we really thought that this was an opportunity to plant these trees and really have them grow roots in these communities for the next generations to watch and to grow, and hopefully they'll be there for the 300th anniversary, right? As we I have an 11-year-old who says he's gonna run the 300th, so we hope that he will. Um, but he'll come back and see these trees, right? Um, another one is our Bells Across Pennsylvania initiative. These are fiberglass three by three bells. I'll be honest with you. We started this project by saying we're gonna buy 67 bells, one for each county, we're gonna work with the counties, we're gonna have local artists. What better way to tell a story, especially localized regional stories, than with local artists, right? Absolutely. So we said we're gonna buy 67 bells. Let me tell you, that project, people loved it. Folks wanted to be part of it. We will now have over 120 bells across the Commonwealth in a Bells Across Pennsylvania Trail. They are not cheap. 10 grand. They are sponsorships supported the bells. Uh, commission went out to the artists, to the host sponsors if they're nonprofits, but also, again, telling stories through art. But most importantly, as well, a lot of these host sites have stories to tell. And that's the goal here. The goal is for Pennsylvania families at low to no cost to be able to get in the car and go on a road trip and find the bells and make it fun and have again really focusing on that next generation, have that next generation learning about these stories. And speaking of the next generation, our Keystone Classroom Initiative. Absolutely. We are so excited. We had visits here in Berks County, but we reached 50,000 of our youngest Pennsylvanians pre-K through four in all 67 counties as of last December. So again, really in pressing upon the fact, you know, and that integral role that Pennsylvania has played in the last 250 years, but most importantly, at an age-appropriate level.

SPEAKER_01 11:19

Yeah, and the book um I remember reading K for Keystone.

SPEAKER_00 11:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:24

It really made a lot of simple but historically accurate connections for students all across uh Pennsylvania.

SPEAKER_00 11:33

Using the alphabet. What better way, you know, to really make to your point make it simple.

SPEAKER_01 11:37

Here in Burks, we we participate in the Liberty Tree. We have our own Liberty Tree now at the Heritage Center. Perfect place. Bells across PA. We're so thankful that First Energy sponsored our bell, and it is appropriately placed in at the front entrance of First Energy Stadium, where the Reading Fight and Fills uh play. Uh coming up in a week or two, we're having an America 250 PA event at the Reading Fight and Fills, where we'll be honoring uh the bell, the history, the artist. Uh just really looking forward to that. Uh any of the other signature events, because there were a lot of things going on that you'd like to share.

SPEAKER_00 12:21

Yeah, you know, I think ultimately we have our, you know, our college program, which is our direct effect innovation challenge, over 40 participating colleges across the Commonwealth, over 400 students, where they come up with integrated marketing concepts. And again, you know, the real goal here is to engage that next generation and and impress upon, like I said, you know, the integral role that that Pennsylvania has played, but also so many communities, as you mentioned earlier, so many counties, everyone has their own history, has their own contributions to that overall Pennsylvania and American story. And that's why we're here at a state level. You know, I I told you about my background. I really thought it was important that we built this from the ground up, organically, not from the seat down. We wanted to walk those main streets. I wanted to learn about your community, about you know, the stories that are most important to our everyday Pennsylvanians. And that's what we want to highlight. And we want to, you know, showcase that to visitors nationally and internationally as the world descends here this year for 2026.

SPEAKER_01 13:18

And I think the other thing that's important, it's very easy when we talk about history for uh people, especially uh newer immigrants uh or people that don't know anything about the history to think that it's simply focusing on 1776. And it's not, it's actually, at least what we're doing here in Berks County, it's looking over the history from 1776. In some cases, even looking at things before that led to that, but looking right up to the present day. Uh for many people in Berks, uh the assumption was that we were original the original settlers in Berks County were German immigrants. They weren't. They were actually Swedish. Uh the oldest buildings in Berks County are in southeastern Berks County, more Latin village, Swedish settlers, not German. Now it is true that shortly after that there was a huge influx of German. Uh you look at the 20th, late 19th century, early 20th century, Eastern European, uh in uh the early 20th century, huge influx of Italian Americans, late 20th century, huge influx of uh in the Latino community, really from all over Puerto Rico, uh from uh DR. The three big groups are Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. And you see all of that coming together, and when we celebrate, you see all of that. In our African American history, we've had an emphasis on the Underground Railroad because in our county we played a role in the Underground Railroad. And so uh Pastor Brookens, uh one of our African American uh ministers, has been very involved uh in that. And so I think in many respects, yes, it focuses on 1776, but it has been an enormous opportunity for people to learn about their own community.

SPEAKER_00 15:28

No, absolutely, and we like to say that you know we are a commission rooted in history. No if, ands, or buts about that. However, this is an opportunity to learn from our history, embrace our present, but most importantly, reimagine our future. And I think you hit the nail on the head to say we are not just focusing on 250 years ago. Some communities are working with us to highlight a 25th anniversary of something, a 75th, a 125th, a 275th, right? You know, we're talking about all of that because all of that is what makes the, you know, these unique communities have these diverse stories and to be able to highlight that. So we're really excited again to be able to talk about all of those different important milestones across the Commonwealth.

SPEAKER_01 16:09

So, talking about the Commonwealth and the unique history, share with us uh some of your experiences with the more unusual or unique uh county level celebrations that you've been able to see.

SPEAKER_00 16:24

So let me just say this too, to preface this by saying every county is doing such a great job at this point, and every county is doing something that's appropriate for their residents and appropriate for how they believe they should be engaged and you know involved in the 250th. But you know, I I look at my friends up in Elk County and your friends, the commissioners up there, and I really think I use them a lot as an example because they were ones in the beginning who said, listen, we'll we'll partner, we'll participate, you know, and then they really fell in love with the Bells Across Pennsylvania project. And they actually took their bell and they moved it to every elementary school the county did and had every um elementary school student, 4,000 of them, put their hand on the bell and paint. Wow. And then they installed it on the courthouse lawn. But it they wanted to make sure that their next generation of Elk County citizens understood the importance and understood that they were part of history too. And I just that was one of those moments that I thought there's an example, right? There's an example of a county who in the beginning was like, let's figure this out.

SPEAKER_01 17:27

And they're an extremely rural county.

SPEAKER_00 17:29

Extremely rural, extremely rural, but they embrace this. Um I think about you know events that are coming up, right, for Gettysburg and Adams County. Right. Um, you know, they're gonna be doing some really big stuff in November around the Gettysburg Address. Um, you know, Erie, the USS Niagara.

SPEAKER_01 17:44

Well, the Gettysburg Address, I have referred to that numerous times. People think, okay, what's the connection? Right out of the gate, fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation. If you go back in the fourscore and seven years from 1863, November of 1863, Lincoln's referencing the Declaration of Independence. And there's probably no president that was more knowledgeable and more connected by choice to the Declaration of Independence, other than maybe Thomas Jefferson than Abraham Lincoln. But Abraham Lincoln went back to it again and again prior to becoming president and during uh his presidency because he understood that, and his words are much more eloquent than mine, that the declaration did not create a government. It didn't even create a structure of government. It really did two things. It said this is the essence of government, to protect the God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that it outlined the country had done virtually everything possible to make peace with England, which would be a lesson today. I think uh too often, especially when we're on different sides, either of a political aisle or of an issue, we are way too quick to label somebody an enemy. And you look at the Declaration of Independence, and that's why we each year read the entire Declaration on July 8th.

SPEAKER_00 19:30

Which I have joined you for.

SPEAKER_01 19:32

It is unbelievable what they did. And that history can help us today. I think in a way that maybe uh we don't even realize. Let's touch on uh a couple of what are the two or three major events coming up for America 250 PA?

SPEAKER_00 19:54

Sure. Hot off the presses today. We announce that um very shortly, sometime in the next week or so here, we will be announcing the talent lineup for the America 250 PA Commonwealth Concert Series. The goal here, again, keeping with, you know, making sure that this uh celebration is taken across the Commonwealth to every region. We are kicking off in State College on May 23rd, moving up to Erie on June 6th, Hershey on June 13th, Wilkesbury on June 20th, and then Pittsburgh on June 27th before Saturday, July 4th in Philadelphia. Um, and in partnership with the state and with tourism, we'll be making the talent announcement. And I could promise you that these are um acts that will absolutely sell out these shows. And the great part about this is they will be ticketed, but they will be free. So this is an opportunity for us to provide to Pennsylvania families to create semi-quincentennial memories the same way so many have from the bicentennial, and really again highlight these communities and bring people together through music.

SPEAKER_01 20:54

Absolutely. And the parade.

unknown 20:56

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 20:57

The major parade is on what day?

SPEAKER_00 20:59

So the parade is on July 3rd in Philadelphia this year.

SPEAKER_01 21:03

And it's on the 3rd because most of our communities already have their own 4th of July. On the 4th of July, yes. Yeah, our entry from Berks County is the Reading Buccaneers.

SPEAKER_00 21:13

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 21:13

Uh our committee has paid their entrance fee uh for that. Reading Buccaneers are internationally recognized and have uh been winning international and national awards. It's an adult uh marching band. I love it. They are incredible. So we're looking forward uh to the July 4th parade on July the 3rd.

SPEAKER_00 21:36

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 21:36

Uh anything else you want to touch on before we look at some local uh events?

SPEAKER_00 21:41

Yeah, you know, the the one thing I would say is, you know, uh Pennsylvania is one of the leaders as far as our volunteer efforts for the 250th anniversary as well. Um so we do have Pennsylvania Day coming up on July 20th. Even though it's after July 4th, folks think what's gonna happen on July 5th? I'm like, we're gonna keep going. Um but July 20th, folks can watch. Know for information to come on that, but we will be again participating with food banks, food pantries, and community cleanup projects.

SPEAKER_01 22:06

Absolutely. Well, from our standpoint, we have we're doing a lot of co-branding. Just had Conrad Weiser homestead days on March the 8th. They stood with us. I was actually at their event at the Conrad Weiser Homestead. He actually is viewed as almost the George Washington of Berks County. Probably Conrad Weiser, William Penn, major, major figures. But on uh July the 2nd, we are partnering with the West Reading and Wyoming Missing Rotary Club for their annual field of honor in Wyomissing. Uh these are flags that will be posted around a small lake in Wyomissing. They honor veterans, first responders, school teachers, and they have asked this year to co-brand with us. Uh America 250 PA Burks will have a part uh in the program. Looking forward to that. On uh the 3rd of July, obviously, uh we will be I'll be coming down to the parade as well, uh, probably along with the Reading Buccaneers. But on the 4th, our official 4th of July parade will be the Why Missing Fourth of July parade uh working. We're having uh our own entry into the parade, a group of uh reenactors from Robazzonia here in Berks County reenacting uh key people and events uh relative to American history and also Berks County uh history. We also have the Liberty Fire Company entering uh in the parade. I believe it is a 1919 uh fire truck uh from here in Reading, absolutely gorgeous. But later that day, we are have partnered with America 250 PA for the Star Spangled Spectacular. So starting in the afternoon, probably around 3 o'clock, we have uh three different local bands, different style bands coming in. Uh then there will be a program uh after that, uh, working on a number of different things that I can't yet announce. Uh then the Reading Symphony Orchestra will be giving a concert, followed by fireworks, and we really appreciate. Last year we applied for one of the uh America 250 PA grants of $20,000. Uh our uh we have to raise $200,000. We are right around $155,000 right now. Doing great. Uh a number of people out there uh that are uh made commitments. I don't know what those numbers are, the 155 is what we already have solid. And then our last standalone event, we're doing events through the end of the year where we're co-branding, is July the 8th. And on July the 8th, hopefully you may be able to join us and represent America 250 PA. We will be taking the Berks County Liberty Bell from the lobby to the front of the County Services Center. Uh we plan to take the glass uh off of the Liberty Bell. Prior to the reading of the declaration in English, uh we will strike it 13 times. Uh we will do so again prior uh to the reading of the opening portion in German, as it was done on July the 8th, 1776, and then that same opening portion in Spanish again 13 times. The English version is going to be read uh by Dr. Dale Cook and Jennifer Lovelin. Uh Dale is a fifth generation uh descendant, direct descendant. Jennifer is a sixth generation direct descendant of Sheriff Henry Vanderslice, who was the individual that read the declaration on July the 8th, 1776. So we are so excited about that. Um we have uh one of our local rabbis, uh Rabbi Michelson from Moheb Shalom uh is going to be giving the opening uh and then the closing. Uh, one of our judges is giving the closing. So we're really looking forward to that. We have just about a minute left. Best place to go for information on America250PA?

SPEAKER_00 26:44

You can go to America250pa.org or any of our social media pages.

SPEAKER_01 26:48

And if you want to go to our website uh for the local, it's America250paBurks.com. So you have America250PA.org and America250PABurks.com. I hope that you enjoyed the program today, a special program, and doing it early enough in the year that you can participate in a lot of the celebrations, and hopefully you can create memories like I did almost 50 years ago when I sat in the park in Valley Forge and watched the fireworks on July 4th, 1976. I'm your host, Burks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, thanking you for joining us for another edition of County Connection.