At a morning ceremony at the York County History Center, York County officials and local artists unveiled six commemorative, artist‑designed fiberglass bells that will be installed across the county ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

"These fiberglass bells may not ring, but they are far from silent," said Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America 250 PA, describing the project as a statewide effort to place a commemorative bell in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

The event, part of America 250 PA’s "Bells Across Pennsylvania" initiative, brought together state officials, county leaders, artists and corporate and philanthropic sponsors. Sponsors singled out during remarks included FirstEnergy and the Arthur J. Glatfelter Foundation, the Powder Mill Foundation, the William J. Wareheim Foundation, the Kinsley Foundation and the Graham Foundation.

John Hawkins, president of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania, spoke for the corporate sponsor: "This isn't just a bell. This is a symbol of freedom, unity, and the enduring spirit of Pennsylvania," he said, noting FirstEnergy’s role in supporting local communities.

York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler framed the bells in the county’s Revolutionary-era history, noting York’s role as the temporary seat of the Second Continental Congress and the adoption of the Articles of Confederation. "History was made here in your county," Wheeler said, and the bells are intended to connect that history with contemporary communities.

Auditor General Tim DeHore, an ex officio member of America 250 PA, and Attorney General David Sunday each praised the project’s focus on local history and community storytelling. DeHore described previous semi‑quincentennial bell dedications as physical reminders of shared history and the new bells as a way to bring lesser‑known local sites to public attention.

Kelly Gibson, president of the Cultural Alliance of York County, introduced the six commissioned designs and the artists who created them. The bells and creators presented at the History Center were described as:

- Susquehanna Riverlands circa 1608 by Brett Bridal (reflecting early inhabitants and riverlands),
- The Energy of York County by Chelsea Foster (commissioned by FirstEnergy, referencing the county’s electrical/industrial history),
- She Lays in the Valley by Andy Simpson (nod to local farmland),
- We the People, We Were Here by Ophelia Chambliss (referencing the Articles of Confederation and including an acknowledgment of Black Americans’ presence in the region),
- Mary Moores Bell (honoring Hanover’s German ancestry), and
- Dusk on the Farm by Annalise Vuono (evoking rural sunsets and community life).

Gibson said the bells will remain on display at the York County History Center until they are installed in parks and public sites across the county in 2026, and that the bells will be listed on the America 250 PA website and the York County public art map at york365.com.

Brian Tate, York County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court and an America 250 PA York County advisor, performed the national anthem earlier in the program; the William Penn Senior High School JROTC Bearcats presented the colors and York County Veterans Affairs director Kevin Myers led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The formal program concluded after the collective unveiling and group photographs. Organizers encouraged attendees to visit online resources and local sites in 2026 to view the full set of bells installed across Pennsylvania.