(The Center Square) – The Department of Conservancy and Natural Resources is sharing a piece of history with the public for the first time this spring. Mifflin Farm, a stop on the Underground Railroad, is opening its doors after 225 years.
The site will feature walking trails and tours educating visitors about the location’s history. Mifflin Home will feature visitor experiences developed by local historians and community members and organized by the Susquehanna National Heritage Area.
“The Mifflin House is a beacon of cultural significance in this region, serving as a touchstone for the broader narrative of our nation’s history,” said Mark Platts, President and CEO, Susquehanna National Heritage Area.
The house was used as a stop along the Underground Railroad from the beginning of the 19th century till the 1840’s. As the first free state traveling northward, Pennsylvania played a crucial role in the network of abolitionists and helpers who risked their lives and livelihood to help trafficked people toward freedom.
“This site is integral in telling the story of Pennsylvania and its fight to end slavery,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “As we celebrate Black History Month, we must not forget those who fought for their own freedom, risking their lives to travel the Underground Railroad North.”
The state’s focus on this part of its history comes as the Trump administration moves to roll back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion measures. While the president did sign a proclamation declaring February Black History Month this year, the Department of Defense has issued orders canceling observation of all “identity months.”
“We must also remember those who fought for what was right, despite the prevailing norms of the time,” said Dunn.
The location is also notable for its role in the war. Just days before the Battle of Gettysburg, there was a skirmish in Wrightsville, which is located along the Susquehanna in York County. Union soldiers burned the bridge there, preventing the Confederacy from traveling North to capture Harrisburg.
Heritage sites like these make up a significant portion of the state’s tourism. Nearby Gettysburg National Military Park alone receives over a million visitors annually. Revolutionary battlefields like Brandywine and Valley Forge draw additional tourists along with key sites from the nation’s founding in Philadelphia.
All told, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania reports that Heritage Areas generate over $2 billion in spending each year. Heritage site tourism amounts to over 25,000 jobs and $798 million in labor income.
In his budget address, Gov. Josh Shapiro also announced the addition of Laurel Caverns to Pennsylvania’s network of state parks. If approved, the Laurel Caverns Conservancy hopes to donate the land to the state.
The move is a long-held dream for both the park’s stewards and its visitors. The caverns are home to the state’s largest cave and contain over four miles of passages. Located south of Pittsburgh, it will be Pennsylvania’s 125th state park and only underground one.
“Pennsylvania is home to some of the most beautiful and remarkable places in the country and I want more people to experience them,” said Shapiro.
Tourism has been a key focus of the Shapiro administration, especially as the 2025 FIFA World Cup, the 2025 MLB All Star game, and the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 loom in the distance. The events are expected to bring scores of visitors from around the world, putting Philadelphia on display and its already overtaxed infrastructure to the test.
