Elizabeth Township begins nation’s 250th birthday celebration

Numerous historical events are being planned to mark the nation’s 250th birthday.

Elizabeth Township kicked off its celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States Thursday evening at the Rock Run Inn at Butler’s Golf Course. A dinner was held to also mark the 50th anniversary of the township’s historical society.

On July 4, communities all over the Mon Valley will commemorate and celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, and America250 has invited everyone to be part of the national commemoration through local events.

The township’s event kicked off a lot of celebrations in the area for the country’s semiquincentennial. With a background of American flag decorations, there were patriotic reenactors, violinist Amber Hooke playing patriotic music, memorabilia and more.

Historical society vice president Debbie Popp Gilbert gave the invocation, and said the dinner celebrates 250 years of history, community and resilience.

“It is so very nice to have you all with us tonight, and we can’t thank you all enough for being here,” said state Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Elizabeth Township. “Elizabeth Township started in 1788 with a handful of farmers that worked so hard to pass the torch on to coal miners, who passed the torch to all of us. And now we have a wonderful community of 13,000 people that started with one.”

The event was sponsored by Kuzma, the Historical Society, township commissioners and Northwest Bank.

Several other politicians and community leaders were in attendance Thursday, including all seven township commissioners, Allegheny County Councilman Aaron Adams, Magisterial District Judge Beth Mills and Rob Rhoderick, a representative from State Sen. Nick Pisciottano’s office.

Kuzma, Adams, Rhoderick and township President Josh Walls presented proclamations to the Historical society for its 50 years. The society was formed in December 1976 following the American bicentennial celebration.

It operates a museum, library and genealogical services at the Coates House at 5811 Smithfield St. It also maintains the Dravo and Coulter cemeteries and the 1790 Greenock Log House.

Adams said members of the society have pride in where they come from. The proclamations commended the historical society’s contribution to the community over the years.

“That the Elizabeth Township Historical Society is hereby recognized in celebrating on the occasion of its 50th anniversary for 50 years of extraordinary dedication in preserving history, heritage and memory of the communities of Elizabeth Township and the forks of the Yough for the benefit of present and future generations,” Walls read from the township proclamation.

Rhoderick commended society president Linda Bennett for her years of service to the community.

“Linda gives her heart and soul to Elizabeth Township, and I want to thank you for that,” Rhoderick said. “You always bring positivity. You are an advocate for the township. Elizabeth Township is blessed to have you as a resident of this community.”

Bennett said she approached township commissioners about a year ago to ask for help in preparing the event, and she’s honored that so many people are interested in history.

Several members of the society spoke as historical figures, telling the histories of each person and their significance. Bennett spoke as Martha Washington, and Gilbert was Elizabeth Bayard, whom Elizabeth Township was named after.

Others included Blaine Popp as Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Joe DeChicchis as General Lafayette and Cheryl “Gigi” Copeland as Betsy Ross.

“You are brothers and sisters and patriots of one of the greatest nations in the world,” Copeland said. “You are the prime example of what freedom is all about. Bravery, purity, beauty and justice. Men and women who love God and who love their country. Happy 250th birthday, Americans. Now the future is in your hands.”

Upcoming 250th celebration events include:

• At 6 p.m. today, there is a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Boston Fieldhouse. It will include food trucks, face painting, a balloon artist and fireworks.

• From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Greenock Log House, the historical society will present free living histories and reenactments, musket firings on the hour starting at 1 p.m., food, crafts and tours.

• Starting at noon Sunday, there will be a light lunch at Buena Vista Firemen’s Social Hall, followed by a two-hour bus tour of historic sites in Elizabeth Township. The cost is $15 per person, which includes the lunch and the tour, and the bus will depart at 1 p.m.

• Also Sunday, the Daughters of the American Revolution will open the Coates House Museum at 5811 Smithfield St. starting at noon and continuing until 5 p.m.