As America celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, one of Pennsylvania’s most creative tributes took shape through the Bells Across PA program. Inspired by the Liberty Bell, the statewide initiative transformed more than 100 three-foot fiberglass bells into colorful works of public art, each telling the unique story of a Pennsylvania community. Artists from across the Commonwealth submitted original designs, with one selected for each county to highlight its history, culture, and people. Together, the bells form a statewide art trail inviting residents and visitors alike to explore Pennsylvania’s rich heritage.
Greene County’s contribution is “Coal & Country,” a striking design created by Nemacolin artist Danielle Nyland. Chosen to represent the county, Nyland’s artwork captures the heart of Greene County through scenes of rolling farmland, historic agriculture, and the coal industry that helped shape generations of local families. Prominently featured is the Nemacolin Mine, a tribute that reflects both the county’s industrial heritage and Nyland’s own family connections to coal mining.
The design also includes sheep, a nod to Greene County’s once-thriving wool industry, a rainbow trout symbolizing the Monongahela River, and a classic Pennsylvania barn representing the area’s rural traditions.
Her artwork now stands outside the Greene County Historical Society Museum in Waynesburg, where it serves as both a community landmark and a reminder that Greene County’s story is an important chapter in Pennsylvania’s—and America’s—history. As visitors travel the Bells Across PA trail, Nyland’s creation proudly tells the story of a county built on hard work, natural beauty, and enduring community spirit.
