An icon of American television and an author who wrote about a history-making Beatles’ concert appeared at “History Expo,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 23, Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown.

Jon Provost, who played Timmy on the TV series, “Lassie” (1954-1973), from 1957 to 1964, talked about his experiences as an actor on the show and in Hollywood.

Provost’s wife, Laurie Jacobson, a documentary and television special producer, discussed her book, “Top of the Mountain: The Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965,” which chronicles the historic Aug. 16, 1965, concert.

The “America250” celebration was to include displays by some 25 Lehigh Valley history organizations, a new American history exhibit and children’s activities, including free collectible coins.

“This is a major event, free and open to the public as a celebration of the 250th Anniversary of America,” says Dr. James Higgins, Ph.D., Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum Executive Director.

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the “Declaration of Independence,” the “History Expo” unveiled an exhibit from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy.”

A series of panels of historical images and text depict turning points in American history from the American Revolution and Abigail and John Adams, to women’s rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, to the American Civil War.

Provost was to give two presentations and sign autographs. Provost, the last surviving regular cast member of the “Lassie” series, will talk about how the TV show connected with people of all ages. He will reflect about how his “television mom,” June Lockhart, became a life-long friend.

Provost was in the movie, “This Property is Condemned” (1966) with Natalie Wood and Robert Redford, and “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” (1969) with Kurt Russell.

Provost, at age four, was cast in the movie, “The Country Girl” (1954), starring Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. He was in “Back from Eternity” (1956) with Anita Ekberg, and “Escapade in Japan” (1957), with Teresa Wright, Cameron Mitchell, and an uncredited Clint Eastwood.

In 1994, Provost received a star on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame.” His memoir, “Timmy’s in the Well: The Jon Provost Story,” by Provost and Jacobson, was published in December 2007. Provost was honored with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2008 at the Pocono Mountains Film Festival.

The TV series, “Lassie,” was based on the MGM movie, “Lassie Come Home” (1943), starring Roddy McDowall and Elizabeth Taylor. The novel, “Lassie Come-Home” (1940) by Eric Knight was written as a story for the Dec. 17, 1938, edition of The Saturday Evening Post magazine.

Knight and his second wife, Jere Knight, raised collies on their Springhouse Farm from 1939 to 1943 in Pleasant Valley, Bucks County.

Jacobson, an author of books and popular articles on entertainment, was to give two talks about “Childhood Stars of Hollywood,” and her 2022 book, “Top of the Mountain,” about the Beatles’ Shea Stadium concert and sign her books.

The Beatles’ concert at Shea, which drew 56,000, is regarded as launching the era of stadium and arena rock concerts.

Jacobson has produced documentaries and television specials, including “Mary Tyler Moore: The 20th Anniversary Show” (1991), “Warner Bros Studio Rededication Party” (1990), “The Suzanne Summers Show” (1994) and “The Museum of Television and Radio’s Salute to Funny Women on Television.”

Jacobson has been interviewed for radio and television, including E!’s “Mysteries and Scandals,” CNN, “20th Century with Mike Wallace,” “Entertainment Tonight,” A&E, History Channel, Discovery Channel and AMC.

Jacobson and Provost reside in Santa Rosa, Calif.

“History Expo”

At 11 a.m. May 23, Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel opened the “History Expo” with the unveiling of a painting depicting an event that occurred near Trout Hall and was recorded in James Allen’s diary entry of Jan. 25, 1777.

Trout Hall, the 1770 Colonial Stone mansion built by James Allen, was open for tours until 3 p.m.

The Brandywine Colonials Fife and Drum Corps from Topton will perform military field music from the 18th and 19th centuries, with an emphasis on the American Revolution.

The Allentown Band concert on the museum campus was canceled.

An exhibit of art by students from the Allentown School District was on display.

A car exhibit from the collection of Ron Smith was to include a 1914 Model T Ford Touring Car that won a First Place National Award at Hershey, a 1966 Ford police car and a 1922 Chevrolet Coupe Model 490 utility that won a National First Place award in 2023.

Pip the Colonial Mouse was to make an appearance in “his life-size form,” signing autographs and handing out free coloring books to children.

The first 500 children attending the “History Expo” were to be given a commemorative coin set for free, consisting of an official U.S. quarter from 1976 and an official U.S. 25-cent coin issued in 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary.

Information: Lehigh County Historical Society Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown. 610-435-1074; https://www.lehighcountyhistoricalsociety.org/