Courtesy photo / The Huntingdon County coloring book will be available starting April 25.

In a unique approach, Huntingdon County coloring books that highlight local history will be available on April 25 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Created by the Huntingdon County Historical Society, the 32-page coloring book features the Standing Stone on the cover and includes town architecture and daily life on the inside.

“I think the coloring book is a great way to reach kids with some of the history,” said board member Lawrence Biemiller, who is also credited with compiling the book’s pictures.

Two weeks ago, fundraising committee member Diana Dixon pitched the coloring book idea to the board after finding an old county coloring book in her basement, Biemiller said.

Dixon asked for Biemiller’s help with designing this year’s book for the county’s semiquincentennial celebration.

He said he built his own personal photo library of Huntingdon’s architecture, and also had access to the historical society’s collection.

He took about 40 images and plugged them into Canva, where the software developed coloring-book drawings. Once completed, the pages went to a local print shop.

The project is completely funded through donations from people and organizations, including school and office supplies company ACCO Brands, Biemiller said. They donated 94 sets of markers to the historical society, which will be included with the first book sales.

While the coloring books aren’t meant to tell the country’s complete history or the country’s story of democracy, Biemiller said they are a way to connect children with America’s anniversary.

And historical society members speculate that adults might be interested in buying a copy or two for keepsakes, he said.

Books will be available at 9 a.m. April 25 during the town’s Mayfest event and online at https://huntingdonhistory.org/

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.