Pennsylvania offers a wealth of historical sites. Whether you want to know more about Pennsylvania’s Founding Fathers or our journey forward, this list has something for you.
This 500-acre park honors George Washington’s crossing of his troops during the Revolutionary War and includes a visitor center and village of historic buildings.
1. The Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary first opened its doors for inmates to inhabit in 1829 with the purpose of inducing remorse rather than simply punishing. Led by Benjamin Franklin and his Society for Alleviating Miseries of Public Prisons, Eastern State was built with isolation as its core principle to help prisoners reflect upon their crimes and find true penance for their deeds.
This prison revolutionized prison architecture with seven single-level cell block wings radiating out from a central surveillance hub, creating seven single-level cell block wings for single-level cell block wings radiating out. Some of America’s most notorious criminals such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton who took part in an attempted escape attempt through tunnel escape were held here, along with eleven others involved in doomed 1945 tunnel escape attempts.
2. Elfreth’s Alley
Elfreth’s Alley has witnessed Philadelphia transition from Colonial port to industrial powerhouse and back again, becoming an official National Historic Landmark while once serving as a slum.
Dolly Ottey moved into one of the alley homes and established a lunch counter. She began an intensive letter campaign through the Evening Bulletin to stop their demolition.
3. Wheatland
Pennsylvania offers many historical destinations sure to delight, from battlefields and Amish communities to engineering marvels and more. Here are a few to add to your travel bucket list.
Wheatland offers visitors a glimpse into frontier life of years past. Don’t miss seeing the burning bridge diorama and visiting outbuildings like privy, smokehouse and ice house for an informative learning experience that is fun for the whole family! It provides an educational journey!
4. Valley Forge
After suffering devastating defeats and losing Philadelphia to the British, General Washington chose Valley Forge as his encampment site and appointed Prussian drill instructor Frederick von Steuben to maintain discipline within his troops throughout a harsh winter of 1777-78.
This historic site’s story is both heroic and tragic, yet simultaneously displays humanity’s remarkable ability to overcome hardship in extraordinary circumstances.
5. Carrie Furnaces
Carrie Furnaces are an important national historic landmark and provide insight into Pittsburgh’s industrial past. Guided tours can be booked through Rivers of Steel.
Ron Baraff, director of historical resources and facilities of this nonprofit, had an easy response when asked why it was named after someone else; apparently it was named for their sister Carrie Deer (which stands 45-feet tall made out of pipes and industrial scrap). Additionally, this facility offers sanctioned graffiti artist spaces, sanctioned spaces for graffiti artists as well as sanctioned spaces to host live graffiti art performances by international artists.
6. Portage Railroad National Historic Site
Pennsylvania boasts 169 National Historic Landmarks, many outside Philadelphia. These include Edward G. Acheson’s home where he invented carborundum.
Discover all about western Pennsylvania’s prominent role in some of America’s most celebrated events, like the French and Indian War and Revolutionary War. Plus visit the Flight 93 memorial dedicated to those lost on September 11, 2001.
7. Kosciuszko National Monument
Kosciuszko National Monument, one of the smallest and least visited National Park Service sites, pays homage to one of America’s most intriguing military figures: Kosciuszko is revered across both Poland and Australia as a national hero; even one of Australia’s highest mountains bears his name!
Though most school students learn about Ben Franklin, Paul Revere and other Founding Fathers such as Thaddeus Kosciuszko in school history books, his contributions to the American Revolution, Polish independence movements and support of freedom throughout his lifetime often receive less recognition.
8. Carrie Blast Furnaces
Carrie Furnaces stands as a National Historic Landmark and provides an insight into Pittsburgh’s rich industrial past. As its last operational stage ended in 1978, this landmark provided iron for building landmarks like Empire State Building.
Visitors to the ruins that have appeared in music videos and movies starring Wiz Khalifa can tour these ancient relics via guided tours; however, children under age five are not permitted. Heels or open-toed shoes are prohibited at the site.
9. Ephrata Cloister
Ephrata Cloister was established by German pietist Conrad Beissel in 1732 and is widely recognized for its art and architecture. Tours through its beautiful cloistered grounds transport visitors back in time, to an age when men and women lived as celibates together in community living conditions.
The Cloister’s printing press produced America’s largest book prior to the Revolutionary War – The Martyr’s Mirror, an account of Anabaptist persecution.
10. Portage Railroad Museum
The Portage Railroad Museum completes Pennsylvania’s Main Line Canal. When it first opened in 1834, it marked the first direct route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – serving merchants, passengers, slaves seeking freedom and soldiers fighting in Mexico War.
Today the site boasts a visitor center featuring exhibits and movies, Lemon House – an 1840s style tavern – and Engine House # 6 Exhibit Shelter.
