Vinton County to Plant Heritage Tree as Part of America 250-Ohio Commemoration

McArthur, OH (September 3, 2026) — A ceremonial tree planting will take root in Vinton County as part of the Heritage Trees: Planting History program under America 250-Ohio, the official state commission responsible for spearheading Ohio’s celebrations and commemorations around America’s semi quincentennial in 2026.

The Heritage Trees program officially kicked off in Lima, on Arbor Day 2025 (April 25, 2025), and will ensure the planting of a commemorative tree in communities across the state.

Started in 2025 and continuing throughout 2026, Heritage Trees will be planted in all 88 of Ohio’s counties. In Vinton County, the tree will be planted at the Vinton County Fairgrounds on September 10th, 2026 at 2:00 pm. As times have changed over America’s 250 years and throughout Vinton County’s history, one place has remained a constant – the Vinton County fairgrounds. This community gathering spot across generations showcases the best of our proud agricultural roots, and the Heritage Tree planting will ensure the fairgrounds remain a place of community for generations to come.

The Heritage Trees initiative draws inspiration from the historic Liberty Tree in Boston during the Revolutionary War period. The Heritage Trees program aims to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by planting native-to-Ohio white oak trees across the state. Throughout the celebration, America 250-Ohio will offer each Ohio county a white oak tree in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Sites selected in each county could be a city that acts as the county seat or participates in the Tree City USA program.

White oak trees were chosen as Heritage Trees because they grow in many soil types, resist most tree diseases and are native to Ohio. A specific white oak species will be chosen based on the county climate and purchased from a reputable Ohio tree nursery.

The Heritage Trees program is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Cenovus Energy and Supporting Sponsors Ohio Liquor and The Lubrizol Foundation. The program was created in partnership with Dawes Arboretum, Cox Arboretum MetroPark, Holden Forests & Gardens, Keep Ohio Beautiful, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Rowe Arboretum, and Secrest Arboretum.

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About Vinton County

Nestled in the scenic Hocking Hills Region of Southeastern Ohio, Vinton County is a small community with great potential.

Formed in 1850 from parts of Ross, Gallia, Jackson, Hocking, and Athens counties, Vinton County was named for Whig Congressional leader Samuel Vinton of Gallipolis. The county seat of McArthur has been in existence since 1815 and took its name from Duncan McArthur, an army general in the War of 1812. The county contains 414 square miles, almost 263,000 acres, and has a population of approximately 13,000. This makes for a friendly environment in which to live and do business, where people know you by name and “red tape” is a phrase rarely heard.

Vinton County’s wooded hills and natural beauty make it one of Ohio’s most rural scenic areas. With numerous state parks, state forests, and a portion of the Wayne National Forest, Vinton County is a premier destination for outdoor recreation in Southeastern Ohio and is ripe with economic development opportunities.

About America 250-Ohio

In 2026, the United States is celebrating its semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each state is creating a celebration and commemoration of this anniversary to reflect the unique character and contributions of each state to the nation over the past 250 years. Ohio is fully embracing this opportunity. Cenovus Energy has signed on as the Visionary Sponsor for Ohio’s statewide programming. The Ohio Commission for the Semiquincentennial (aka America 250-Ohio Commission or AM 250- OH) was created by the Ohio legislature and launched on March 1, 2022. The charge of the Commission is to “…to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.” — Ohio Revised Code (149.309). More information can be found at America250-Ohio.org.