The Chester County Commissioners have taken their first step toward planning the county's celebration of the nation's 250th birthday in 2026. They have established the America250PA Chester County Commission.

The plan is to formally appoint members to the commission in March. Representatives of all ages and from all areas of the county are invited to apply. Commission members will serve for up to three years. The county commissioners will also designate a chair and a vice chair. Further information and the application can be found at http://www.chesco.org/America250.

Chester County Planning Commission executive director Brian O'Leary explained that planning is beginning now because it takes a long time to produce ideas and coordinate events this elaborate, particularly with a variety of partners involved. He added that the celebration will cover closer to 300 years because Chester County was active long before representatives from the 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Chester County is coordinating its activities with the statewide group America250PA. Two representatives from that organization, Marissa Gioffre and Jaclyn Victor, recently attended the commissioners' public meeting virtually to discuss similar celebration planning across the commonwealth. In their comments, they thanked Chester County for its support.

Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline, who represents the county on the America250PA County Advisory Committee, and who is a board member of the Chester County History Center, said the local commission will work on a parallel track, balancing county events with participation in state-wide activities.

Unlike Philadelphia, where the historic activities will be concentrated in the area around Independence Hall, Chester County's activities will be spread over a larger area. The commission's tasks will include uniting heritage tourism sites for people to visit.

The commission will meet quarterly and may branch out to form subcommittees and engage in special programs, events, educational projects or fundraising activities. The commissioners said the public's involvement in planning activities will be key to the success of Chester County's commemoration. The commission will also collaborate directly with stakeholder institutions and municipalities.

America250PA focuses on various areas around which to create celebratory activities. The 14 areas are agriculture, arts and culture, commerce and workforce, diversity, education and innovation, the environment, government, health care, history and preservation, legacy, nature, military, veterans and women, technology, and tourism.

For more information on how to get involved, visit the aforementioned websitening