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 Agricultural Education – “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.
• Mennonite Life – “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

PA CHAPTER OF APA RECOGNIZES ZIMMERMAN CENTER FOR HERITAGE IN YORK COUNTY AS A 2025 GREAT PLACE IN PENNSYLVANIA

Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA PA), through its Great Places in PA Program, annually designates Great Places. For 2025, five nominations achieved a Great Places designation: 4 Great Public Spaces and 1 Great Greenway/Trail or Preserve. This brings the number of Great Places designated since the Program’s inception in 2014 to 64. These Great Places are located in 35 of PA’s 67 counties. Great Places have a sustainable vision for the future and serve as a model for other communities. They are high-quality examples of successful planning efforts that build healthy and vibrant communities throughout the Commonwealth and promote the Chapter’s mission and vision.

APA-PA is proud to announce the designation of the Zimmerman Center for Heritage in Lower Windsor Township (York County) as a 2025 Great Public Space in Pennsylvania. Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, the Zimmerman Center is a restored mid-18th-century Georgian stone architecture house that now serves as a vibrant hub for history, culture, and river exploration. Inside, visitors can explore the “Visions of the Susquehanna” art collection, which interprets the river’s cultural legacy, and learn about the colonial-era architecture and Susquehannock people. Outdoors, the Center has a walking path to its riverside pavilion, paddle launch, and floating dock. This area provides scenic views of the river and the surrounding landscape. Also, seasonal river discovery boat tours are offered aboard the historic Chief Uncas, a 1912 electric-powered boat. Another walking path leads to Native Lands County Park, where staff use interpretive signs to share the story of the Susquehannock village and people that once existed there.

Throughout the year, the Center hosts school visits, guided tours, and public events focused on heritage, environmental education, and conservation. It is also available to rent for small gatherings. The Susquehanna National Heritage Area, which manages the Zimmerman Center, has engaged in strategic planning and community outreach and developed strong partnerships to transform the once privately owned residence into a thriving gateway to river history and culture. A symbol of thoughtful preservation, the Zimmerman Center blends nature, culture, and education, making it a meaningful riverfront destination for residents and visitors, who enhance the local economy.

The Zimmerman Center for Heritage, together with the Boyce Bouldering Park/Pump Track and Outdoor Discovery Center/Sensory Nature Trail (Allegheny Co.), and River Common (Luzerne Co.), comprise the slate of 2025 Great Places in PA in the Public Spaces category. The Endless Mountains Gravel Bikepacking Loop (Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna/Wyoming Counties) was designated in the Great Greenway/Trail or Preserve category. These Great Places demonstrate the rewarding results that occur through community partnerships, planning, and dedication. In recognizing the 2025 Great Places in PA, the Chapter also celebrates the many community leaders, officials, professionals, and residents who contribute to making the designated places “great.”

 

Contact: Pamela Shellenberger, AICP, Chair, Great Places in Pennsylvania Program
PA Chapter of the American Planning Association
Phone: 717-771-9870 x1768; Email: pshellenberger@ycpc.org

SNHA Contact: Jonathan Pinkerton, AICP, Senior Vice President of Planning & Projects
Phone: 717-252-0229 x102 ; Email: jpinkerton@susqnha.org

Two sites. One mission. A lasting impact.

In an inspiring display of teamwork and dedication, students from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps have made lasting improvements to both the Mifflin Farm and the Zimmerman Center for Heritage this summer—laying the groundwork, quite literally, for increased visitor access and enjoyment.

During the week of July 14th – 19th, six high school students and their leaders blazed the first official walking trail at the Mifflin Farm. The newly completed “Pond Loop” is a .4-mile grass trail beginning at the historic Mifflin House and winding to a serene man-made pond at the heart of the property. This scenic loop invites visitors to take glimpses of wildlife, including fish, birds, and deer, while soaking in the natural beauty and heritage of this important landscape.

While plans for over 4 miles of future trails are in development, this loop marks a major milestone in opening the interior of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area’s newest park to the public—just months after its launch.

 

More recently, during the week of August 4th – 8th, another crew from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps turned their energy to the Zimmerman Center for Heritage. There, they focused on clearing and refreshing the walking paths around the visitor center, and to Native Lands County Park including the nature space, restoring the site’s natural appeal and improving access for all who come to explore the area’s rich river history and native landscapes.

We offer our deepest thanks to these hardworking students and their leaders. Their contribution not only enhances SNHA visitor sites, it helps connect people with nature, history, and each other.

Susquehanna NHA chosen for Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award!

Each year, Preservation Pennsylvania announces the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards, which celebrate the people, places, and partnerships that preserve and protect the places that matter across our Commonwealth. This year Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) is honored to be chosen for the Henry A. Jordan Award. The award keeps with Henry’s belief that it is at the local level where real historic preservation occurs, the Henry A. Jordan Award recognizes outstanding historic preservation efforts at the local level.

A decade-long effort to save the Mifflin House – an Underground Railroad site in Hellam Township – culminated in a powerful vision for public education and community engagement. SNHA President Mark Platts remarked, “Preserving the Mifflin House has been a long and challenging journey, but one we always believed was worth taking. This site is a rare and powerful reminder of our region’s role in the fight for freedom. To receive the Henry A. Jordan Award is not only an incredible honor—it affirms the deep local commitment to telling these stories with honesty and heart.” Susquehanna National Heritage Area staff will be attending a special ceremony on Thursday, October 16, at Carrie Blast Furnaces in Pittsburgh to accept the award.

Now the future home of the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park, the site will interpret stories of freedom seekers, Civil War battles, and regional river culture. The project has already secured over $8 million in funding and opened to the public, on a limited basis, in 2025. Senior Project Leader, Pete Miele, has been leading the interpretation and project development. He said, “The preservation of the Mifflin House has always been about more than saving a historic site—it’s about honoring the stories of courage, collaboration, and conscience that define this place. This recognition is a testament to the power of community partnership and vision. We’re deeply honored to receive the Henry A. Jordan Award from Preservation Pennsylvania.”

The Mifflin Farm is open to visitors on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with historical programs at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. You can also follow our self-guided tour of the historic farmstead and walk our new Pond Loop trail.

Learn more about the Awardees

Since opening to the public on May 24th, we have welcomed more than 500 visitors to the historic Mifflin Farm. These visitors have discovered the courage of freedom seekers who made the decision to escape the brutality of slavery; the Quaker conscience that drove people to open their homes to these refugees; and the collaboration between Black and white people in the Susquehanna Valley that fostered the nascent Underground Railroad network. Inside the Mifflin House, we have a board on which people are invited to leave impressions of their visit. One individual wrote, “I appreciate the efforts of those in the present who are actively preserving the past. Your passion for telling and preserving the story are honorable.” And this is only the beginning!

On July 17th, we hosted our first “Lecture on the Lawn.” While we were in the throes of a heat warning and moved inside the cool walls of the Mifflin House, we still were treated to a meaningful learning experience. Codie Eash, Director of Education & Interpretation at Seminary Ridge Museum & Education Center, shared connections between the burning of the Columbia & Wrightsville Bridge and the Battle of Gettysburg. He drew upon first-hand accounts, newspaper images, and even veterans’ speeches to show how the burning of the bridge was viewed in the context of the Gettysburg campaign. On August 21^st, Barbara Brundage, Susquehanna National Heritage Area’s Interpretive Specialist, will present “Researching the Mifflin Farm.” Barb has been our primary researcher on the history of the Mifflin Farm and Underground Railroad and will pull the curtain back on her methodology and findings. It promises to be an insightful evening.

During the week of July 14th-19th, students from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps blazed the first walking trail on the Mifflin Farm. The “Pond Loop” is a .4-mile grass walking path from the Mifflin House to the man-made pond in the center of the property. From this vantage, visitors can catch glimpses of fish, birds, and deer. While the Heritage Park will eventually boast more than 4 miles of walking trails, it is gratifying that we can allow visitor access to the interior of the property so soon after opening. A special thank you to the six high school students and their leaders who worked through the heat and humidity to make this trail possible.

We also have new interpretive panels! On July 8th, Civil War Trails successfully moved two markers from the end of Cherry Street, in Wrightsville, to the entrance of the Mifflin Farm. These panels tell the story of the Underground Railroad at the Mifflin House, and the Battle of Wrightsville, which occurred partially on the property on June 28, 1863. These panels are outside our gates and accessible to visitors 24/7. Thank you to Civil War Trails, Explore York, and the National Park Foundation for supporting this effort.

Last, but certainly not least, we are thrilled to be working with our summer Artist-in-Residence, Spencer Verney of Chester County, PA. Supported by the Pennsylvania Outdoor Council, Spencer is a landscape artist working on a painting showing the historic Mifflin farm landscape and Susquehanna River beyond. Keep an eye on our website next month, as Spencer will be providing a program on his approach. You might also catch him painting on-site!

The Mifflin Farm remains open to visitors on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with historical programs at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. You can also follow our self-guided tour of the historic farmstead and walk our new Pond Loop trail. Visit www.susqnha.org for more information.

Sunday Schedule!

Click the June 29 Day in the calendar below to view and book your experience!

 

Riverfest Trolley Tours $10

From Mifflin Farm at 11 AM, 12 PM, & 1 PM

From John Wright Restaurant Lawn at 3 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM, & 6 PM

Columbia Architecture Walking Tour $10

Leaving from Columbia Crossing at 10 AM & 1 PM

Riverfest Geology Walk $5

From Furnace Road Trailhead at 11 AM

Columbia’s African American History Bus Tour $12-$17

Leaving from Columbia Crossing at 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM

From Weeds to Trees: Wild Foods of the Susquehanna $16-$34

at Horn Farm Center at 1:30 PM

Living the Experience Underground Railroad Reenactment $15

at Columbia Crossing at 3 PM

Paddle the Battle Kayak Tour

at the John Wright Restaurant Lawn at 4 PM.

Drop-in Experiences

Musselman Vesta Iron Furnace Center Open 1 PM – 3 PM

Mifflin Farm Open 10 AM – 4 PM

Burning Bridge Diorama Open 1 PM – 4 PM

Mount Pisgah Cemetery & Zion AME Church Open 1 PM – 4 PM

Historic Wrightsville Museum Open 1 PM – 4 PM

Columbia Historic Preservation Society Open 1 PM – 4 PM

Ignite Concert & Fiery Finale 4 PM – 9 PM 

at John Wright Restaurant Lawn

Wrightsville, PA — Throughout the early 19th century, a stone home near the Susquehanna River was a beacon of hope and safety for men, women, and children fleeing the horrors of slavery. Today, the Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) is proud to announce that the historic Mifflin Farm, in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, has been officially added to the National Park Service’s prestigious Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program. 

Between 1810 and 1840, dozens of freedom seekers found shelter with Quakers Jonathan and Susanna Mifflin at their home near Wrightsville. They stayed only a few nights at most before crossing the Susquehanna River and continuing northward. In the late 19th century, Samuel W. Mifflin, son of Jonathan and Susanna, recalled instances of freedom seekers finding refuge in the home’s parlor. Samuel’s accounts form the basis of the application to the National Park Service.  

“The Mifflin Farm’s inclusion in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom recognizes its enduring significance in the struggle for human dignity and justice,” remarked Mark Platts, President & CEO of SNHA. “We are honored to steward this powerful site and to ensure that the stories of those who bravely sought freedom—and those who aided them—are shared with future generations.” 

The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom is a program administered by the National Park Service to honor, preserve, and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight. Sites, facilities, and programs in the Network highlight places and stories of courage and solidarity that helped shape the American experience. Research for the application was funded in part by the National Park Foundation Inclusive Storytelling Program. 

The Mifflin Farm will open to the public, on a limited basis, starting May 24th. The house and grounds will be open for tours on Saturdays, between 10am and 4pm, through October. Visitors will discover the site’s deep connections to Underground Railroad history, the Civil War, and the broader story of conflict, collaboration, and conscience in the Susquehanna National Heritage Area. Public access to the historic Mifflin Farm is the first component of the future multi-million dollar Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park, a world-class destination telling the nationally important stories of York and Lancaster County.  

Media Contact:
Peter Miele
Senior Project Leader
Susquehanna National Heritage Area
pmiele@susqnha.org
717-252-0229 x107 

Get Ready for an Unforgettable Summer on the Susquehanna!

Plan your summer getaway and experience the magic of being on the water, spotting local wildlife, and hearing captivating stories of the river’s history aboard the Chief Uncas. Tickets are now available to purchase for 1-hour guided boat tours July – Labor Day weekend. SNHA will welcome guests aboard the Chief Uncas, a historic 112-year-old electric powered boat for tours on the Lake Clarke June through October.

Boat Tours will embark from the dock at SNHA’s Zimmerman Center for Heritage, located at 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, PA. Tours will be offered Thursday – Sunday. These guided tours offer passengers the chance to explore the Susquehanna aboard a 112-year-old electric boat as tour guides share stories of the river’s rich history and heritage. Tickets are available to purchase online.

 

River Discovery Boat Tours: SNHA guides up to 22 passengers on a 1-hour guided tour of the Susquehanna. On SNHA’s signature tour, passengers will be able to take in the spectacular river views and learn about the river’s cultural and natural heritage. Tickets are $24 for adults and $12 for youth (ages 5 to 17). If you are 65 or older take advantage of the senior discount by purchasing a senior ticket for $22. Children under 5 years old are $5. Guests can personalize their experience aboard the Chief Uncas and explore the Susquehanna on one of SNHA’s specialty themed tours.

Themed Boat Tours: Specialty themed boat tours are offered throughout the tour season and highlight interesting heritage stories of the river’s Civil War, Native American, and Haunted Heritage. Tickets are $24 for adults and $12 for youth (ages 5 to 17). If you are 65 or older take advantage of the senior discount by purchasing a senior ticket for $22. Children under 5 years old are $5.

About the Chief Uncas
The Chief Uncas was built in 1912 for Adolphus Busch, co-founder of the famous American beer company, to enjoy cruises at his summer estate on Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, NY – the headwaters of the Susquehanna River. SNHA purchased the Chief Uncas in 2021 and transported the boat to Pennsylvania.  To learn more about the history of the Chief Uncas, read SNHA’s history brochure.

Interested in a private charter? Contact ateaford@susqnha.org for details!

Press Release PDF.

RIVERFEST WEEKEND
June 26, 27 & 28

Head to the Susquehanna for Riverfest on June 26–28, 2026! Susquehanna National Heritage Area (NHA) and Rivertownes PA, USA have partnered to commemorate the Civil War burning of the world’s longest covered bridge. In June 1863, Confederate forces marched into Pennsylvania and spread across south central counties, raiding and sacking small towns. Columbia and Wrightsville joined together to protect Lancaster from the same fate. After a short battle, outnumbered Union troops and local volunteers set the wooden covered bridge that crossed the Susquehanna River ablaze. This act stopped the Confederates cold. They retreated west to a location in Adams County and, just two days later, that Army battled Union forces in the Battle of Gettysburg.

HISTORY

In June 1863, Confederate forces marched into Pennsylvania and spread across the south-central counties, to raid, and sacking small towns. Columbia and Wrightsville joined together to protect Lancaster from the same fate. After a short battle, outnumbered Union troops and local volunteers set the wooden covered bridge that crossed the Susquehanna River ablaze. This act stopped the Confederates cold. They retreated west to a location in Adams County and, just two days later, that Army battled Union forces in the Battle of Gettysburg.

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE YEAR

Riverfest brings our Susquehanna River communities together to celebrate history, recreation, and river heritage—and in 2026, the celebration is even bigger. As America marks its 250th, Pennsylvania honors 250 years, and Columbia turns 300, the Susquehanna NHA with bring those stories alive with expanded programming and one-of-a-kind heritage experiences you’ll only find this year.  Learn more about local stories that connect directly to the larger American story and celebrate together. Join us on the river and be part of history in the making!

BRIDGE BURNER CHALLENGE

Conquer the Bridge Burner Challenge Run & Paddle Race, a multi-sport race tracing the paths of the 1863 bridge burners. Riverfest is a weekend-long celebration of our river towns’ heritage and recreation. Susquehanna NHA, Rivertownes PA USA, and our heritage partners have created a range of experiences that tell the amazing stories of our past. Learn about the burning of the bridge story through several different heritage walks, talks, and tours! Thanks to our heritage partners. Check out all the recreational trails that meander through our historic industrial landscape at the River Expo. Looking to discover on your own? Discover self-guided adventure options from Columbia Crossing River Trails Center. There are over 100 miles of trails, 10 scenic overlooks, and over 2 dozen heritage sites in the Susquehanna National Heritage Area. 

SNHA invites our community members to get involved with Riverfest now! Athletes are welcome to rise to the challenge and sign up for the Bridge Burner Challenge today. Racers receive a finishers medal and t-shirt to show off their win! Save big on race fee with early race registration before May 1, 2026. Race registration is available online.

Bridge Burner Challenge

Run & Paddle Race along the Susquehanna!
There’s still time register online.

 

 

EVENT SCHEDULE 

COMING SOON!

Visit riverfestpa.com to register for events and plan your Riverfest experience!
Donations to support heritage hosts can be made at: https://riverfestpa.com/donate/.

GET INVOLVED IN RIVERFEST WEEKEND!

Become a Riverfest sponsor to support our mission to bolster our regional economy with heritage and recreation tourism. There’s still an opportunity for our local businesses to be involved through sponsorship of this event. Sponsors have special access to event experiences and support all our heritage partners. Check out sponsor information below. Show your support for the amazing history of our river region! 

Get involved in Riverfest Weekend! Visit riverfestpa.com to sign up to be a part of Riverfest Weekend.  Become a volunteer to help with race support, parking, visitor services, concert support and more.

Become Recreation Partner at the River Expo. Visit riverfestpa.com to sign up to be a part of Riverfest Weekend. Our goal is to showcase the Lower Susquehanna River region’s vast recreational opportunities in Lancaster & York Counties.

 

We are especially thankful to our sponsors, partners, volunteers, and local communities that believe in our mission to bolster our regional economy with heritage and recreation tourism.

2026 SPONSORS

 

 

 

 

Interested in Sponsoring Riverfest & Bridge Burner Challenge? Contact msalvatore@susqnha.org for details!

Interested in becoming a Riverfest Heritage Partner? Contact svayansky@susqnha.org for details!

Press Release PDF.

Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park
February 2025 Project Update

Pete Miele, Senior Project Leader

February has been a momentous month for the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park! With exciting public engagement, preservation milestones, and expanded storytelling opportunities, we are making incredible strides in bringing this nationally significant site to life.

On Thursday, February 6th, we welcomed DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn to the Mifflin Farm to mark Black History Month. The event featured speeches from Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) President & CEO Mark Platts, SNHA Board members Neicy Deshields-Moulton and Nelson Polite, Jr., State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill, and York County Commissioner Doug Hoke. These speakers honored the Mifflin House as a place of resistance and refuge in the early nineteenth century. The program was covered by Commonwealth Media Services, ABC27, Fox43, and WGAL. You can watch the full program and view high-resolution photographs here: PACast. Additional news coverage is linked here:

• Fox43 Coverage
• York Dispatch Article
• ABC27 Feature

As part of this commemoration, SNHA President & CEO Mark Platts announced the creation of an Underground Railroad Work Group. These local historians will aid the SNHA staff in developing interpretation and exhibits for the new Underground Railroad Learning Center in the Mifflin House and on the historic landscape. The inaugural meeting of this group will occur in early March.

The story of the Underground Railroad in our region is reaching increased audiences. LNP recently released a short documentary featuring our own Senior Project Leader Pete Miele, alongside Randy Harris of LancasterHistory. The documentary highlights the significance of sites like the Mifflin House in the fight for freedom. You can watch it here: LNP Documentary. This is a fantastic opportunity to spread awareness of the powerful history embedded in our landscape​.

Over the past month, River Art consultants Terrie Sultan of AMS Hudson Ferris and Rob Evans, aided by the River Art Work Group, drafted mission, vision, and purpose statements for the new Susquehanna River Art Museum. These foundational documents establish philosophies for both the permanent collection and special exhibitions of historic and contemporary art. This museum will harness the transformative, educational, and experiential power of art to tell the nationally important stories of the Susquehanna River region. We are thrilled that this unique, world-class collection of Susquehanna River Art is an integral component of the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park.

On Wednesday, February 26th, we hosted our second public presentation of the Master Plan & Interpretive Framework at Wrightsville Presbyterian Church. After seven months of effort, our Master Plan & Interpretive Framework process is nearing completion and sixty attendees joined us to learn about the future of the site. The response was positive, with the community embracing the vision for this site as a premier gateway to history, art, and nature along the Susquehanna River. Public enthusiasm reaffirms our commitment to developing a world-class visitor destination that honors the past while creating new opportunities for engagement​.

Finally, February also brought thrilling news from the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office: the Mifflin House has been determined “nationally significant” under the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. This is a game-changer for our project. Not only does it recognize the profound role the Mifflin House played in the Underground Railroad and Civil War history, but it also opens doors for additional grant opportunities. Our historic preservation consultant, Becky Zeller of Zeller Preservation, is now preparing the nomination form for submission to the National Park Service. We hope to achieve listing in the National Register of Historic Preservation by late 2025 or early 2026.

What’s Next?

• Public Access Improvements: As we prepare to welcome visitors, work continues on initial site enhancements, including parking and walking paths. With the warmer weather, this work will restart.
• Grants: We are actively applying for local, state, and federal grants to continue our work to tell the story of this property.
• Educational & Community Programming: Plans are in motion for interactive tours and programs to begin this spring, ensuring that visitors can experience the Mifflin House’s story firsthand​.

Thank you all for your continued support in making this vision a reality. The momentum is building, and 2025 is shaping up to be a truly transformative year for the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park!