Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area
Few
places pack in more things to see—and eat—than the Lancaster-York
region. The original food market to the world, this two-county area
is nestled in between the mountains to the north and west, and the
Atlantic plain to the east and south; in other words, a convenient
and unique place to visit.
A rich religious heritage covers Lancaster County and attracts those who desire to return to simpler times—and enjoy smorgasbords and hand-made quilts too. Two major plain sects—the Amish and the Mennonites—immigrated from Germany and have chosen to keep their salt-of-the-earth traditions. Plain dress, lack of electricity, and non-motorized vehicles are a way of life amongst the rolling farms and busy farmers markets. The Ephrata Cloisters and the Landis Valley museum also give us a place to step back into rural German-American communities. If visitors need a break from the clip-clop, clip-clop of the horse and buggies, take a ride on the Strasburg Railroad, or check out what time it is at Columbia’s National Watch and Clock Museum.
Across the Susquehanna River is York County, known for its tasty snacks and its importance during the Revolutionary War. During the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777-78, the Continental Congress decided the river was sufficiently wide enough to keep the redcoats from disrupting the government's business. For possibly something even more revolutionary, get your motor runnin’ at York's Harley-Davidson Final Assembly Plant and Museum. Looking for something a little more serene? York has farmers markets, agricultural museums, and plenty of tours too.
Heritage Region Description
One of two most recently designated Heritage Parks is the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area. This region dramatically illustrates Pennsylvania's long and distinguished role in the development of the United States by its practice of long-held religious beliefs and cultural traditions, and the innovative spirit that has helped the U.S. retain its role as a world leader.
Size: 1,854 square miles
Counties: Lancaster, York
Population: 852,409
Municipalities:
Major Highways:
Key Communities:
Major Attractions:
Welcome Centers:
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Lancaster is widely touted as the "most productive non-irrigated farmland in the United States." York is distinguished by its many food processing and packaging plants that flourished after World War II and resulted in York being given the title of the U.S. snack food capital.
Agricultural heritage is among the most distinct aspects of the Lancaster-York region. For centuries the region's farmland has served as the breadbasket to the East, and the intricate and colorful patchwork quilt of cropland is a defining physical characteristic of this region. The regions agricultural heritage is also the backbone of the state's economy.
Natural resources are also a significant part of the region's heritage. The Susquehanna River and adjacent lands are an outstanding local, regional, and national natural and recreational resource.
Milestones
- 2001 - Officially Designated August 22, 2001
- 2002 - Board of Directors Appointed October 2002; First Lancaster-York Heritage Region project completed - Susquehanna River water trail.
- 2003 - First Executive Director Hired February 2003
Heritage Park Organization
Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area
1706 Long Level Road
Wrightsville, PA 17368
(717) 252-0229
Fax: (717) 252-1224
Email: info@susquehannaheritage.org
Email: mplatts@susquehannaheritage.org
Web: http://www.susquehannaheritage.org/
Contact: Mark N. Platts
Title: President
Organization Type:
Mission/Purpose: The goals of the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area are to build understanding and identity through interpretation, enhance the visitor experience, strengthen a sense of place, and build strong institutions for partnership.
Staff and Volunteers:
Involved Organizations
Additional Project Supporters
- DCNR
- York County Board of Commissioners
- Lancaster County Board of Commissioners
- York County Planning Commission
- Lancaster County Planning Commission
- York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
- York County Chamber of Commerce
- Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Lancaster County Heritage
- Pennsylvania Power & Light
- Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- National Park Service
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- York County Department of Parks
- Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce
- York County Economic Development Corporation
- Lancaster Alliance
- The John Wright Co.
- York City Office of Economic Development
- Lancaster County Parks Department
- The National Watch & Clock Museum
- York Heritage Trust
- Lancaster County Historical Society
- City of Lancaster
- Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
Tourist Promotion Agencies (TPAs) within the Region
- York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau
Pennsylvania's Heritage Regions
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