Visit Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park

Susquehanna Discovery Center
- Susquehanna Discovery Center

Susquehanna National Heritage Area is developing the historic Mifflin House & Farm into the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park, a world-class destination within America’s 55th National Heritage Area. In the 1800s, the home of Jonathan and Susanna Mifflin was a noted station on the Underground Railroad, where freedom seekers sought refuge before crossing the Susquehanna River. On June 28th, 1863, it became central to the Civil War fighting in Wrightsville when Confederate General John B. Gordon ordered artillery to the front yard of the home.

Beginning in 2017, SNHA, along with partners Preservation Pennsylvania and The Conservation Fund (TCF), worked to preserve this historic ground for future generations. In April 2022, TCF purchased the 87-acre property and in 2023, transferred it to SNHA for development over the next 5-10 years.

The site will feature a gateway visitor center housed in a historic Pennsylvania bank barn, introducing visitors and area residents to the unique stories of Lancaster and York Counties. The River Art Museum will showcase over 400 years of Susquehanna River art, while the historic home will be interpreted as an Underground Railroad station. The surrounding 79-acre Heritage Park will provide an immersive interpretation of the 1863 Battle of Wrightsville and Underground Railroad activity. A portion of the property has been set aside for future development as a complementing restaurant and/or hotel.

This project offers a unique and innovative opportunity to embrace historic preservation, inclusive storytelling, economic development, outdoor recreation, land conservation, and watershed protection into a cohesive experience.