Celebrating America's 250th!
Before the Declaration, Westmoreland County had Resolve...and we still do!
On May 16, 1775, frontier settlers in Westmoreland County took a courageous stand against British rule and signed The Hanna's Town Resolves, declaring their willingness to fight for their rights.
Today, you see the resolve and determination of Westmoreland County as we embrace growth while preserving our history, culture, and natural spaces.
Discover Westmoreland where America's story comes alive!
Thank you to everyone who came out On May 17, 2025, for the Resolve to Race 5K Run/Walk & Kids race and Reenactments of the Hanna's Town Resolves and special living history demonstrations and displays.
Westmoreland County is celebrating America's 250th throughout 2025 and 2026. You'll find all kinds of events on our America's 250th Community Calendar. Scroll down the page to see our event listings. And you're welcome to add your organization's events.
Two America250PA Bells coming to Westmoreland!
Call for Artist for second Bell "MORE Energy in Westmoreland"
The Westmoreland America250PA Committee is seeking proposals from artists living or working in Westmoreland County for the Bells Across PA art series to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States in 2026. The selected artist will execute their designs on a provided three-feet tall, ready-to-paint, fiberglass bell sculpture, and will be paid a $1,250.00 honorarium by America250PA upon completion to cover materials, and to compensate their time and labor.
This Bell will be on display outdoors along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail in Murrysville from September 31, 2025–December 31, 2026. Bells will also be featured in a 2026 Commemorative Map with artist information on America250PA’s website and social media platforms. It will be a cornerstone of Westmoreland County’s America’s 250th commemorations and will be promoted through DiscoverWestmoreland.com.
We are looking for designs that reflect the title “MORE Energy in Westmoreland” and shows the history of energy production and delivery and throughout Westmoreland County because the Bell will be sponsored by First Energy and located near the site of the first commercial natural gas well in Murrysville, PA. The history of energy production in Westmoreland County could include, but is not limited to, the Haymaker first commercial gas well in Murrysville PA, hydroelectric, coal, solar, wind, nuclear, power delivery lines, line people, railroad, and exercise along the trail to energize people. Please bear in mind that the audience will be broad-based and consist of all ages, and designs should be appropriate for public display. Designs that are religious, political, or sexual in nature will not be considered.
How to enter
Artists of all levels, and groups of artists like art centers or clubs, from acclaimed professionals to emerging talents, are encouraged to apply. Interested artists can apply via email. Please email dlamuth@golaurelhighlands.com for a complete Request for Proposal Application.
Discover Westmoreland's Volunteer Fair
Parking is FREE at
Westmoreland250 Portals Poster
Westmoreland County was founded in 1773 and we celebrated 250 years of Westmoreland County History in 2023.The "Portals of Westmoreland Poster" is a gorgeous 18" x 24" full-color poster of windows and doors of special locations throughout Westmoreland County. It was a grassroots collaborative effort by the Westmoreland Heritage Partners and Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County.
Photographer Alex Newill says, "Historical Westmoreland! When I was approached with this opportunity I was instantly on board. My family is originally from the area and having just moved here in April last year I have been trying to learn more about my roots and all the amazing history in the area. The portals project has supplied me with so much information and shown me how truly incredible this area is. From war forts to ground breaking laboratories to incredible educational tales this place has a very broad history of impressive things. The amount of people banding together to preserve and educate others about what Westmoreland has done for the world makes it a truly special place. I hope you enjoy the pieces put together to commemorate this astounding county in its 250 years, and may this inspire you to visit some of these historical places to see for yourself just how extraordinary Westmoreland County is."
Benefit Westmoreland Heritage Partners by purchasing Posters at:
- Antiochian Village Heritage Museum
- Baltzer Meyer Historical Society
- Compass Inn
- Fort Ligonier
- Historic Hanna's Town
- Murrysville Historical Society
- New Kensington Art Center
- Norwin Historical Society
- Smart Partnership of Westmoreland
- The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
- Westmoreland Land Trust
273 Registered Monarch Waystation for Westmoreland's 250th!
/ 250 Westmoreland Monarch Waystations
The Westmoreland Pollinator Partners goal of 250 Monarch Waystations in Westmoreland County has been reached and EXCEEDED in 2023!
Thanks to the generosity of FirstEnergy (WestPenn Power) and the Westmoreland County’s 250th Anniversary Initiatives, the certification and signage fees for the first 193 Monarch Waystation applications received after March 20, 2023, were covered. Congratulations to all partners and participants! If you have a question about the Monarch Waystations, please email mreckner@brandywine.org.
You can still help the Monarchs: Monarch Waystations provide the resources needed for a monarch butterfly to complete its life cycle, produce new generations, and sustain their migration. Guidelines found at the Monarch Watch website or by connecting with any Westmoreland Pollinator Partner will help you develop or enhance your property to support monarchs and other pollinators, whose populations are all in decline. By densely planting native milkweed and nectar plants in a sunny area and eliminating the use of insecticides and herbicides, you can easily create a Monarch Waystation.
Contribute to this Westmoreland County Community Asset Map
Westmoreland County boasts all sorts of incredible spaces.
Contribute your beloved locations here or by clicking the button. We want to reach 250 sites!
Special thanks to Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County for spearheading this project.
Westmoreland 250 Event Calendar
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- 17Ligonier Country Market 50th Seasons8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join us for our opening market of the season. We will have special festivities to kick off our 50th season! , ...Resolve to Race 5K Run/Walk & Kids’ Dash8:30 am - 10:30 am
Inaugural Resolve to Race 5K Run/Walk & Kids’ Dash welcomes runners and walkers and kids who want to dash into history on May 17, 2025 at Historic Hanna’s Town in Greensburg PA. This community event commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Hanna’s Town Resolves, a bold precursor to the Declaration of Independence , ...Hanna’s Town Resolves, 250th Anniversary11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Come learn about the frontier’s role in the push for independence. Join us as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Hanna’s Town Resolves, a bold precursor to the Declaration of Independence! , ...
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