A ceremony to officially dedicate the Liberty Tree was held Saturday at Weissport Borough Park.
The tree was grown from the remains of Maryland’s last original Liberty Tree, which was destroyed in 1999 by Hurricane Floyd.
The Carbon County Liberty Tree was planted in Weissport Borough Park in recognition of Weissport’s historical importance. Benjamin Franklin, an early pillar of American independence, served at Fort Allen in Weissport. The Liberty Tree was planted where the Fort Allen Apartments now stand.
Franklin Well is located behind the apartments.
The Liberty Tree is one of 67 trees planned to be planted, one in every county in Pennsylvania, by Memorial Day in 2026, as part of a project sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Pennsylvania. The sapling was grown at Tilley’s Nursery in Coopersburg.
America250PA Project & Programming Assistant Colin Sheffer officiated the dedication ceremony and presented a certificate to Worshipful Grand Master Larry A. Derr of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, stating:
“Today, June 15, 2024, in recognition of our environmental stewardship and its historical significance, we have planted a certified sapling, a descendant of America’s only surviving Liberty Tree from one of the 13 colonies, presented to the Pennsylvania Freemasons.”
“This tree was planted to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America and the individuals whose service to their country and heroic sacrifice helped achieve American independence. Weissport Park, Carbon County, Pennsylvania.”
Larry Durr spoke about Mason’s role.
“It is a known fact that the fundamental tenets of Freemasonry are the foundation stone of the new republic,” Dare said in his speech. “The Masonic ideals of faith, hope, charity, brotherhood, salvation and truth are inscribed in all of the nation’s fundamental documents.”
Present at the dedication ceremony were Weissport Mayor Paulette Watson, Weissport Borough Council President Thomas Ketchledge, Borough Councilmen Joe Foster, Brenda Raby and Bill Hartzell, State Representative Doyle Heffley, State Senator David Argall, Carbon County Commissioner Michael Sofranko, Carbon County Treasurer Kevin Zelienka, Carbon County Register of Wills Jean Papai and Carbon County Auditor Kayla Herman.
Among the Masons in attendance were Larry Durr, Light Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Joe Maltoccio, District Vice Grand Master of District 45 in Hazleton, Keith Hontz of Albrightsville, Grand Master of Carbon Lodge 242 in Jim Thorpe, Robert Brink of Coopersburg, Vice Grand Master of Hazleton, and other members of Freemasonry.
The Knights Templar, Packer Commandery No. 23, stationed in Jim Thorpe, raised the flag and led the reading of the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the national anthem. David Bar-Reeve of Wind Gap offered a toast to the flag. Keith Hontz of Albrightsville, grand master of Carbon Lodge 242 in Jim Thorpe, offered a prayer.
America250PA Project and Programming Assistant Collin Schaefer (right) presents a certificate to Grand Master Larry A. Derr (right) of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. View a photo gallery from the ceremony at tnonline.com. By James Logue Jr./Special to the Times-News
Worshipful Grand Master Larry A. Durr of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania speaks during the dedication of the Liberty Tree in Weissport Borough Park. The Liberty Tree (center) was dedicated during a ceremony in Weissport Borough Park. Members of Freemasonry, who will be caring for the tree, and various other dignitaries attended the event as part of the U.S. 250th anniversary program. James Logue Jr./Special to The Times
