Postmark to commemorate Allentown's tercentennial Fifth-grader created painting that post office will use on stamp ALLENTOWN - A local student's artwork will soon adorn greeting cards, letters and even bill payments. Upper Freehold Regional Elementary School fifth-grader Leah Gilbert's painting of the Allentown Presbyterian Church was selected to be on the postmark that will commemorate Allentown's 300th anniversary. On Saturday, Oct. 28, at 11:30 a.m., a Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin look-alike, dressed in full 18th-century regalia, will help Gilbert apply the first Allentown 300th anniversary postmark to a piece of mail. Numerous municipal, postal and community leaders will join Gilbert in the special ceremony at borough hall, located at 8 N. Main St. The canceling of the mail is part of the community's gala celebration recognizing the borough's tercentennial. During the ceremony, Gilbert will be declared Allentown's Postmaster for the Day since her artwork depicting the local church was selected to be on the anniversary postmark. Allentown Postmaster Joe Devonshire said the post office challenged local artists to create an image of Allentown for use on the special cancellation. Devonshire coordinated the local community outreach activity with Village Fine Art Studio owner Roni Browne. Gilbert's painting was selected from several paintings that hung at the borough's post office between Aug. 16 and Sept. 9. Her winning entry was announced on Sept. 11. Teresa Tumminia, Gilbert's mother, reported that her daughter "screamed out loud" when she heard that her artwork was selected as the winner. Sixth-grader Addie Calabro's painting of the Allentown library won second place. Third place went to fifth-grader Taylor Oakley, who painted the local historic Imlay House. The paintings are also being printed on collectible business envelopes for the borough's 300th anniversary. Allentown's early beginnings can be traced back to 1706 when Nathan Allen settled and built three mills on York Road, which is now Main Street. The community was initially known as "Allen's Town." Allentown's historical significance and pride continue to shine today with 220 buildings and homes in the designated Historic District, dating prior to 1860 and some dating back to the 18th century. Of additional significance is the fact that Allentown also counts among its favorite sons and daughters six United States congressmen, a New Jersey governor, a governor of the Washington Territory and the first chief justice of New Jersey, who was a signer of the U.S. Constitution.