Let’s raise a glass of milk to 250 years of American history—and to Pennsylvania’s enduring dairy legacy.
American Dairy Association North East and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, proudly unveiled the 35th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show Butter Sculpture, a beloved tradition that continues to captivate visitors year after year.
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this year’s butter sculpture pays tribute to Pennsylvania’s central role in both the birth of our nation and the growth of American agriculture. The striking tableau transports viewers back to 1776 Philadelphia, where Benjamin Franklin and the Founding Fathers are depicted signing America’s founding document—and commemorating the moment with a celebratory toast of milk.
The sculpture also features iconic symbols of American democracy, including the Liberty Bell, as well as a nod to Betsy Ross and the first American flag. Red, white, and blue accents are woven throughout the design, reinforcing the patriotic spirit of America’s semiquincentennial celebration. Beneath the scene, the sculpture’s pedestal honors the Commonwealth’s rich agricultural heritage with carved imagery highlighting farming and food production.
“Pennsylvania’s agricultural roots date back to our nation’s earliest days,” said Carolyn Matthews Eaglehouse, dairy farmer at Milky Way Farm in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. “While the Founding Fathers were shaping a new country, farmers here were building a strong dairy industry that continues to thrive today. I’m incredibly proud to be part of that legacy.”
The sculpture was brought to life by acclaimed artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, who spent several weeks crafting the piece onsite using more than 1,000 pounds of butter, generously donated by Land O’Lakes in Carlisle, Cumberland County.
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