America250 at county seat

Potter County America250 Committee is sponsoring a fitting observance of the nation’s founding, to be held at the county seat on Friday, July 3. It complements festivals in Emporium, Galeton, Austin, Roulette and other area communities over the holiday weekend.

A rededication of the David Zeisberger memorial at the courthouse square will be held at 11 am by Ilene Altenhein, representing the Allegewi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Zeisberger, a Moravian missionary, passed through what is now Potter County in October 1767 while traveling to establish missions among Delaware (Lenape) Indians farther west. Historical accounts describe him as the first known European to cross the county’s vast wilderness.

That will be followed by a reading from the Declaration of Independence and a live performance by musician Dan Butler at the gazebo.

At 2 pm, the public is welcome to attend the premier showing of local composer and arranger Larry Herbstritt’s “Patriots in our Family Tree” at the Coudersport Theatre. It’s a musical tribute that seeks to connect modern-day residents of Potter County with the ordinary men and women whose sacrifices helped to create the nation.

Combining live and recorded music, narration, historical images and local family history, the work explores the American Revolution through the eyes of common patriots rather than famous historical figures.

An epilogue features connections between Revolutionary War veterans and many local families.

Ilene Altenhein	Larry Herbstritt