HeritagePA is a resource network for Pennsylvania’s officially-designated state and national Heritage Areas that serves to strengthen and expand the outreach and contribution of each Area through unified leadership, common purpose and collaborative effort.  HeritagePA is committed to advancing the important work of its members and – through effective implementation of this Heritage Development Strategy – is dedicated to advancing the heritage development movement in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States.

Pennsylvania’s officially designated Heritage Areas and corridors joined together to create HeritagePA as a resource for professional leadership, experience, coordination and advocacy within the Heritage Area community, and to further the Heritage Areas’ shared missions of developing tourism, preserving history and providing public education.

Pennsylvania’s officially-designated state and national Heritage Areas are distinctive regional assets that cultivate community and economic development, encourage tourism, and develop recreational and cultural activities that enhance the quality of life for residents and provide memorable experiences for visitors.

The Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area, the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Lackawanna Heritage Valley, The Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area, Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, Lumber Heritage Region, National Road Heritage Corridor, Oil Region National Heritage Area, PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, Preservation  PA, and other Commonwealth agencies and non-profit organizations.

Founded in 1989 by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the PA Heritage Areas Program is a key component of Pennsylvania’s tourism industry, providing action plan assistance and oversight to identify, protect, enhance and promote the historic, recreational, natural, cultural and scenic resources of the Commonwealth and to stimulate community sustainability and economic development through heritage, outdoor recreation and eco-tourism.

HeritagePA benefits its non-profit member organizations by acting as a forum to share resources; as an advocacy and advisory group; as a marketing and promotion partner; as a collective legislative and funding voice; as a regional networking agency; and as an inter-disciplinary link and resource.