Susquehanna County’s ‘Red, White, and Blueberry’ America250PA Bell Unveiled in Montrose

12-10-25

By Louis Gauthier
MONTROSE — The chilly temperatures on Friday did little to discourage the residents and the local, state, and national dignitaries who gathered on the front steps of the Susquehanna County Historical Society for the unveiling of Susquehanna County’s America250PA bell.

The bell was one of many as part of the “Bells Across PA” statewide art series, a project to install three foot tall fiberglass Liberty Bell replicas in all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Each was decorated with designs to reflect the county they were installed in. The goal is to have the bells in place across the commonwealth by the end of December to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
Local artist and illustrator Kelly Finan was chosen to decorate the Susquehanna County bell after submitting an artist statement and a set of preliminary concept sketches. She landed on the theme “Red, White, and Blueberry,” which she described as being “very botanical.” Speaking to the crowd, Finan said she wanted to highlight “native, or American, plants” as a way to show the county through her own eyes. The sugar maple, corn and blueberries featured in her design, she explained, are “plants that influenced the people and the county.”

Event emcee Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA, told the crowd that the unveiling brought the organization one step closer to having a bell on display in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. She noted that “they may not ring, but they are far from silent,” adding that each bell “tells a story about creativity in our state.”
U.S. Senator Dave McCormick also spoke at the event. He recalled the nation’s bicentennial, saying he remembered it “like it was yesterday, celebrating the 200th anniversary,” and added that “what’s reinforcing the (America250PA) effort is the role that Pennsylvania has played in the shaping of the country.” He said that “through every chapter, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Civil War,” Pennsylvania has played a vital role in the formation of the nation as the Keystone State. During his visit, McCormick also presented an American flag to Susquehanna County Commissioners David Darrow and Robert McNamara for display at the county courthouse.
State Senator Lisa Baker called it a “picturesque day in Susquehanna County” that put a “spotlight on Kelly’s work” and on the “lifelong generations of people who built this county.” David Palmer, Susquehanna County liaison to the America250PA committee, said the bells “give each county an opportunity to showcase what is unique to them and join us together as a commonwealth.” He shared a memory of spending July 4, 1976, deployed as a member of the U.S. military on the island of Crete, watching the bicentennial celebration from afar. It was then, he said, that he decided “in 2026 I would be home.” He told the crowd that “today’s event is a prelude to that homecoming and America’s 250th,” and that it is an “opportunity to shine our light here in Susquehanna County.”

As the program continued, Coleman recognized representatives who were in attendance from the offices of U.S. Representative Dan Meuser and State Representative Jonathan Fritz. She also thanked the sponsors of the Susquehanna County bell; Coterra Energy and Pennsylvania American Water. Before turning the lectern over to Finan for the unveiling, Susquehanna County Historical Society Curator Bonnie Yuscavage remarked that it “could not be more fitting that the bell is here,” saying Susquehanna County “has its roots in liberty,” and is defined by its many assets including a strong sense of community and a “dedication to liberty.”
After the speakers finished, Finan revealed the completed artwork to a delighted crowd of onlookers. Summing up the meaning of both the artwork and the moment in Montrose, Lori Webster, a docent with the Susquehanna County Historical Society, said, “History is a continuing process, and the bell is a signal of where we have been and where we are going.”