Westmoreland County flag, with its ties to the American Revolution, celebrates 250th anniversary

The United States is preparing to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, but in Westmoreland County, there's a symbol of civic pride that's already marking that anniversary.

Two years before the Continental Congress first adopted what would become the United States flag in 1777, another revolutionary flag emerged that has a rich history both locally and nationally.

That is the flag of Westmoreland County, and this year, that flag is celebrating its 250th anniversary.

Established by Colonel John Proctor in 1775, the "Proctor flag" or the "Rattlesnake flag" was first unfurled in the wake of the fighting at Lexington and Concord, as the British began using military might to keep colonial subjects in line.

Lara Bromyard, the director of education for the Westmoreland County Historical Socie