"The Past is Never Dead. It's Not Even Past..."

"The past is never dead. It's not even past,"

--William Faulkner, Requiem for a Nun

I'm Pete, and I'm a lucky guy. 

But I need your help to stay this lucky! We'll get to that in a moment. 

About a year and a half ago, I was chosen to lead a new initiative at the heart of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA)--the development of the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park at the Historic Mifflin Farm. This project brings together everything about which I am passionate: American history and culture, storytelling, nature and ecology, outdoor recreation, place-based learning, and community engagement.

Before I get ahead of myself, a bit of history: This site has been a working farm for more than 225 years. In 1800, Quakers Jonathan and Susanna (Wright) Mifflin built a stone house on the property. Between 1810 and 1846, countless freedom seekers, escaping the brutality of slavery, found refuge in the Mifflin home before crossing the Susquehanna River. In June 1863, the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania was halted near the farm and the Rebels turned west to fight days later at a small town called Gettysburg.

But, in 2017, all this history was nearly lost. A local developer planned to raze the historic Mifflin home and construct warehouses on the property. Luckily, local activists raised the alarm. Soon, SNHA, Preservation Pennsylvania, and The Conservation Fund got involved and were successful in saving the property. In 2023, SNHA took possession of the farm, saving it for all time. Now, we plan to transform it into a world-class visitor destination with a Discovery Center & River Art Museum, Underground Railroad Learning Center, Heritage Park with trails, and a Riverfront Park. I am unbelievably fortunate to lead this effort.

But this is going to be more than just a visitor destination. You might be surprised to learn that as a public historian, I spend more time thinking about the present and the future than I do about the past. The lessons of the past inform where we are going, and we are going to build this into the visitor experience at the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park. What steps have people taken to build a better world, and what work remains to fulfill the American promise? What is the role of individuals in a diverse society? How do we strike a balance between human needs and those of nature? All these questions, and more, will be pondered at the Mifflin Farm.

See? History IS important. "The past is never dead. It's not even past."

SNHA has had an incredible impact on Lancaster and York Counties for more than 20 years. At Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, we help people explore the shoreline and river towns of the Susquehanna. At the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, we display art of the Susquehanna River and introduce people to Native landscapes. Aboard our historic Chief Uncas boat, visitors can experience the natural beauty of one of the oldest river systems in the world. Our heritage area contains more than 50 natural and cultural sites, as well as abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. These places renew, refresh, and inspire. They connect us to our place in the larger stories of nature, history, and community. Susquehanna National Heritage Area ensures these places and resources remain available to future generations.

This is where you come in. I'm asking you to help support my passion. November 21st is the Lancaster ExtraGive. Please donate to Susquehanna National Heritage Area to support the development of the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park, and all the other great work we do.

Can I count on you to help?