Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) celebrated a significant milestone in the preservation of Pennsylvania's heritage on Sept. 27. More than 60 people gathered with SNHA staff members at the historic Mifflin House and Farm for a preservation celebration and initial groundbreaking. The event marked the culmination of a seven-year effort to protect the site from development and set the stage for its transformation into the Susquehanna Discovery Center and Heritage Park - a project expected to span five to 10 years.

The Mifflin House, a documented stop on the Underground Railroad, and the 160-year-old barn will be rehabilitated and eventually opened to the public as part of the expansive project. A museum showcasing Susquehanna River art will have a home on the property, bringing to life the region's cultural and natural history. The 79-acre Heritage Park will feature walking trails interpreting the Underground Railroad and the Civil War battle that occurred in Wrightsville, a pivotal event in the 1863 Gettysburg campaign. The Heritage Park will combine historic preservation, inclusive storytelling, economic development, outdoor recreation, land conservation, and watershed protection.

Private, state, and federal sources have already committed more than $8 million to the projected $25 million development.

The first phase of development, set to begin this fall, includes the construction of a new driveway, 30 parking spaces, and an ADA-accessible pathway through the farmstead. Following these improvements, the historic site will be open to the public for the first time in more than 225 years, with preview tours expected to begin in the spring of 2025.