America250PA/”The United Colors of Liberty—Elk County, Pennsylvania”/Bells Across PA/Liberty Bell Project

June 4, 2025

0 Comment

In 2024, the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) gave Elk County the green light to create a unique Liberty Bell during 2025 as part of its “Bells Across PA” art series to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

Spearheaded and sponsored by the Elk County Commissioners and conceptualized by artist John Schlimm as a Participatory/Interactive Art work titled The United Colors of Liberty—Elk County, Pennsylvania, this project gave the nearly 4,000 K-12 students across Elk County the chance to add their splash of color to the three-foot tall fiberglass replica of the iconic Liberty Bell during the Bell’s 4-month—February to May 2025—tour to all 14 Elk County schools and the Elk County Homeschool community. During Summer 2025, the Bell will be on exhibit at Elk County’s 4 public libraries and appear in all area parades.

John’s vision was for the Liberty Bell, as a blank canvas, to travel to every school and public library throughout Elk County during Spring/Summer 2025 and for students and other citizens to have the opportunity to add color on the bell, creating a bright, beautiful Abstract Expressionistic masterpiece.

The design concept extended beyond the official project requirements, prompting the America250PA team to say that they had “not received a proposal as ambitious as this” before they resoundingly approved it. John and the Elk County Commissioners envisioned this being a rare opportunity to unite the young people and other citizens in every rural and small-town community across their 181-year-old (at the time) county—including the county’s 9 townships, 2 boroughs and 1 city—to vividly depict the imaginative, expressive, and determined spirit of Elk County, Pennsylvania, and America.

During the America250PA-Elk County Liberty Bell’s school tour, a short documentary was filmed by Louie Milliard to further share the journey of this historic project. The film will premiere in Fall 2025. This portion of the project was made possible by generous funding from America250PA.

America250PA—The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial—was established by the PA Legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 1776, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future.

America250PA hopes to engage all citizens of the Commonwealth, from all 67 counties, to bring the Commonwealth’s history into the conversation so Pennsylvanians can better understand the origins and multiple perspectives of issues facing our Commonwealth and nation today, use history to encourage and inspire future leaders, celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvanians to our Commonwealth’s history as well as our nation’s history, and leave a lasting impact on the next generation, sparking an interest that will ignite the drive for them to appreciate all the triumphs, trials, and tribulations that contributed to the Commonwealth in which they are now writing their own history.

As part of The United Colors of Liberty—Elk County, Pennsylvania, John and the Elk County Commissioners also created a participation sticker for every student and a Discussion, Lesson, & Activity Guide For Educators, Librarians, & Others.

The completed bell sculpture will soon be permanently installed on the Elk County Courthouse grounds in Ridgway, which is the county seat, in time for the larger 2026 celebration.

PART 1:

During February, March, April, and May 2025, the America250PA-Elk County Liberty Bell visited all 3 Elk County School Districts—Johnsonburg Area School District, St. Marys Area School District, and Ridgway Area School District—and the Elk County Catholic School System, which encompass 14 K-12 schools in 11 buildings, as well as inviting the Elk County Homeschool community to also paint the Bell, for a total of 4,000 Elk County students.

JOHNSONBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

The America250PA-Elk County Liberty Bell visited Johnsonburg Area Elementary School and Johnsonburg Area Jr./Sr. High School from February 3 to 14, 2025.

ST. MARYS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

The America250PA-Elk County Liberty Bell visited South St. Marys Street Elementary School, St. Marys Area Middle School, St. Marys Area High School, and Fox Township Elementary School from February 17 to March 14, 2025.

RIDGWAY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

The America250PA-Elk County Liberty Bell visited Francis S. Grandinetti Elementary School and Ridgway Area Middle/High School from March 17 to 28, 2025.

PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY HEARING

Monday, April 7, 2025

ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

The America250PA-Elk County Liberty Bell visited St. Marys Catholic Elementary School, St. Marys Catholic Middle School, Elk County Catholic High School, and St. Leo School from April 7 to May 2, 2025.

ELK COUNTY HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY

On Thursday, May 29, the Elk County Homeschool community of students visited the Elk County Courthouse Annex in Ridgway and added their SPLASH-tastic touches to the America250PA-Elk County Liberty Bell.