From left, George Stark, Coterra Energy; Darryl Gore, Dennis Family descendant; Patrick Burns, Chairman, America250PA; Cassandra Coleman, America250PA Executive Director; M. Denise Dennis, Dennis Family descendant and DFCLT CEO; Lonnie Moore, Dennis Family descendant; PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity; US Senator, Robert Casey; and PA Auditor General Timothy DeFoor.
On June 28, 2023, the Dennis Farm welcomed 200 elected officials and invited guests to celebrate the dedication ceremony and unveiling of America250PA’s Dennis Farm Semiquincentennial Bell, a 1300 lb. bronze replica of the Liberty Bell.
This is the first of several bells America250PA will present to historically significant sites in Pennsylvania, to commemorate of our nation’s 250th Birthday, in 2026.
The caption engraved on the bell, from Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust Founder and CEO, M. Denise Dennis says, “When the nation was young, our free African American ancestors owned and farmed this beautiful place, against great odds.”
America250PA Chair, Patrick Burns and Executive Director, Cassandra Coleman opened the program. United States Senator Robert Casey; Pennsylvania Treasurer, Stacy Garrity; Pennsylvania Auditor General, Timothy DeFoor, the first African American to be elected statewide in Commonwealth history; and George Stark of Coterra Energy, sponsor of the bell, were featured speakers, all expressing their appreciation for the Perkins-Dennis family’s extraordinary history.
Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust Founder and CEO, M. Denise Dennis, gave a heartfelt address to the guests, welcoming them to “our ancestral home.”
Following the ceremony, Keystone College, DFCLT’s educational partner, hosted a luncheon for the guests. Keystone College President, John Pullo, and VP Frances Langan welcomed everyone to the college.
