The Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) has awarded $100,000 in grants to six local organizations for projects that celebrate and preserve the region's cultural, historical and natural heritage.

The 2025-2026 Heritage Partnership Program grants support initiatives that connect people with the stories and landscapes of the Susquehanna River region through exhibits, signage, historic preservation and public education. This year, nearly $190,000 in funding requests were submitted, underscoring the strong interest in heritage-focused investment across the area.

"These projects exemplify the mission of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area: to connect people with the places and stories that make this region special," said SNHA president Mark Platts. "As we approach America's 250th anniversary in 2026, these efforts ensure that our communities have meaningful ways to reflect on the past and inspire the future."

This year's recipients include the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, which received $18,000 to mount an exhibit at Lancaster Public Library highlighting pre-1776 buildings across the county in honor of America's 250th anniversary. The Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education was awarded $20,000 to install 10 new interpretive signs on its campus, offering a self-guided tour on topics ranging from Indigenous land stewardship to regenerative farming and the ecology of the Susquehanna watershed.

LancasterHistory will use its $15,000 grant to add interpretive signs throughout the Tanger Arboretum and President James Buchanan's Wheatland, enhancing outdoor discovery and education about local horticultural heritage. The Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society received $18,000 to strengthen programming at the 1719 Museum's Lancaster Longhouse, with improvements that include native plantings, landscape updates and artifact storage.

Rivertownes PA USA was awarded $9,000 to support preservation efforts at the Musselman-Vesta Iron Furnace Center along the Northwest River Trail, including window restoration, new outdoor panels and updated educational materials. Finally, the York County History Center will use a $20,000 grant to begin conceptual planning for a Revolutionary York exhibit, which will highlight the city's important role in the American Revolution, including the framing of the Articles of Confederation.

Nonprofit and municipal applicants submitted project proposals by April 25, and the awards were announced at SNHA's Summer Soiree in June, said Alene Wilmoth, vice president of finance and operations for SNHA. Projects may begin now and must be completed by June 30, 2026.

"Grant reviewers considered the extent to which a project would a., improve public access to places and stories of this nationally significant region; b., contribute to the preservation of a significant resources and/or authentic interpretation of SNHA's interpretive themes; and c., support the recipient organization's interpretive development," Wilmoth explained, noting that geographic location was also considered to spread the awards throughout York and Lancaster counties. "The selected projects largely support making more free educational experiences available to the public."

This is the first time the Heritage Partnership Program awarded grants, she said. The program is funded by the U.S. National Park Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through their Partnerships Program.

 "Volunteers and professionals throughout York and Lancaster counties work tirelessly to tell the stories of this place and to get people moving along the landscape," Wilmoth said, adding that grant funds allow recipients to make dream projects a reality. "People only have so much time to give, and fundraising takes a lot of effort. Grant funding allows nonprofits to focus on their mission and their service to the public."

It's been a busy and productive year for SNHA. The organization was chosen for the Henry A. Jordan Award by Preservation Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards for the preservation of the Mifflin House and Farm. The Zimmerman Center, an SNHA site, was named a 2025 Great Place in PA by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association.

"Susquehanna National Heritage Area will release adventure itineraries in early 2026 to celebrate the Semi-Sesquicentennial, featuring the grant awardees and sites through York and Lancaster counties," Wilmoth shared. "The grant winners look forward to readers visiting their completed projects next summer!"

For more information about the Heritage Partnership Program, visit http://www.SusqNHA.org/partner-hub.