Susquehanna National Heritage Area Awards Over $100,000 in Grants to Support Local Heritage Projects Across York and Lancaster Counties

The Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025–2026 Heritage Partnership Program grants, awarding a total of $100,000 to six local organizations whose projects will enrich the cultural, historical, and natural heritage of the region.

These competitive grants support initiatives that connect people to the rich stories and landscapes of the Susquehanna River region through interpretive signage, exhibits, historic preservation, and public education. This year, SNHA received nearly $190,000 in funding requests, a clear sign of the strong interest and need for heritage-focused investment in the region.

“These projects exemplify the mission of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area: to connect people with the places and stories that make this region special,” said Mark Platts. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, these efforts ensure that our communities have meaningful ways to reflect on the past and inspire the future.” The Heritage Partnership Grant Program is funded by the U.S. National Park Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through their Partnerships Program.

2025–2026 Grant Recipients:

  • Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County – “Lancaster County Celebrates 250 Years of Independence” – $18,000
    A public exhibit featuring pre-1776 buildings across Lancaster County will commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. The display, hosted at Lancaster Public Library, will also invite the public to share their hopes for the nation’s future.
  • Horn Farm Center for Agriculture – “Interpretive Signage at the Horn Farm” – $20,000
    Ten new interpretive signs will create a self-guided tour across the Center’s educational campus, engaging visitors with topics such as Indigenous land stewardship, regenerative agriculture, and local ecology, while tying these themes to the larger story of the Susquehanna watershed.
  • LancasterHistory – “From Past to Present: Historic Signage for Outdoor Discovery” – $15,000
    New interpretive signs throughout the Tanger Arboretum and grounds of President James Buchanan’s Wheatland will enhance outdoor exploration and provide educational insights into the region’s landscape and horticultural heritage.
  • Lancaster Mennonite Conference Historical Society – “Lancaster Longhouse Guest Experience” – $18,000
    Educational programming at the 1719 Museum’s Lancaster Longhouse will be strengthened through landscape improvements, new native plantings, artifact storage solutions, and building maintenance.
  • Rivertownes PA USA – “Musselman Vesta Iron Furnace Center” – $9,000
    Preservation and interpretation efforts at this historic site along the Northwest River Trail will include window restoration, refreshed educational materials, and new outdoor panels exploring the region’s industrial and railroad heritage.
  • York County History Center – “Revolutionary York Exhibit” – $20,000
    In preparation for the nation’s 250th anniversary, the History Center will begin conceptual planning for a new exhibit highlighting York’s key contributions during the American Revolution, including the framing of the Articles of Confederation.

For more information on the Heritage Partnership Program, visit www.SusqNHA.org/partner-hub.

 

Media Contacts

 Jonathan Pinkerton
Senior Vice President of Planning & Projects
Susquehanna National Heritage Area
jpinkerton@susqnha.org
(717) 252-0229 x102

Alene Wilmoth
Vice President of Finance & Operations
Susquehanna National Heritage Area
awilmoth@susqnha.org
(717) 252-0229 x104