In the early days of the Commonwealth, nearly 29 million acres of Pennsylvania were covered in forest. By 1895, this number dropped to 9 million acres. While Pennsylvania provided lumber to build a nation, this invaluable natural resource was almost lost.
In the late 1950s, at the height of the drive-in’s popularity, Pennsylvania had more than 180 in operation. Today, Pennsylvania still has nearly 30 drive-in theaters in operation, second most in the country.
Creativity thrives in the Commonwealth—from community art projects to makerspaces to galleries and festivals, the arts play a pivotal role in bringing people together throughout our region.
Bellefonte, Pa. houses rich stories and landmarks of Black history, including St. Paul AME Church, founded in the 1800s, and believed to be part of the Underground Railroad. Its history has been preserved by local historians, as have many other aspects of Black history in central Pennsylvania.
Why is Altoona known as “Railroad City”? The answer can be found at the Railroaders Memorial Museum, located in Altoona. This home for railfans is where a new project is underway to bring back a legendary locomotive…the K4.
All across Pennsylvania, thousands of citizens are volunteering to protect our lives and property. In fact, more than 97% of all firefighters in the commonwealth are volunteers. Such service organizations even predate the U.S. Constitution.
Adaptive reuse is the term given to the repurposing of old buildings, and many of the buildings we use today are serving a very different purpose than originally intended. But repurposing a structure is not always easy.
Pennsylvania and its citizens have a long history of innovation and creativity. The Slinky, Jeep, cheesesteaks, the Ferris wheel, the polio vaccine, revolving doors and movie theaters are just a few things that came from Pennsylvania.
The arts are on full display as community members take the stage to become theatrical storytellers. Volunteer thespians from the The Altoona Community Theatre and Sock and Buskin Theatre Company share stories of why this art form must be kept alive.
“New Neighbors” is a term given to immigrants and refugees. These community members work to learn the American ways while keeping their own cultures and traditions alive. We hear the stories of local immigrant families and follow their journey as they build new lives in central Pennsylvania.
Polka is more than just music. It’s heritage, culture, dancing and costumes. This rich history is celebrated every June at Polkafest, located in Johnstown. The city’s ethnic heritage makes it the perfect city to host this event, now in its 25th year.
We are constantly bombarded with bad news ranging from the struggling economy to climate changes, and it can be easy to feel discouraged. But where there are problems, there are almost always solutions, and Pennsylvanians across the state are finding innovative ways to address the challenges in their communities.
The Pennsylvania State Park System began in 1893. Today there are 124 state parks covering more than 300,000 acres in our state. From the rare orchids found in the Black Moshannon bog to the spectacular tapestry of stars above the Cherry Springs, a visit to a state park is an excellent way to enjoy the natural beauty of the Keystone state.
Breweries, wineries and distilleries. This region is experiencing a boom in the business of libations. But the story is much more than the creation of an alcoholic beverage. It's about the positive effects on the community, the amazing food and the science behind the beverages.