Trout Hall
The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor is a joint effort of private groups and interested citizens, county and municipal governments, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government to conserve cultural and natural resources in the five-county region of Pennsylvania that traverses the historic Delaware and Lehigh Canals. Since the Delaware & Lehigh's designation by Congress in 1988, it has been our mission to restore historic places, conserve green space for public use and preserve and interpret our heritage to enhance life for generations to come.
The Corridor passes through three distinct areas: the Wyoming Valley and Carbon County, home to many of Pennsylvania's former anthracite mines; the Lehigh Valley, where the discovery of coal to the north spawned prosperous iron and steel industries and the Delaware Valley, through which coal-laden canal boats traveled to Philadelphia and other markets. Today visitors can explore by car, boat, bike or on foot to enjoy the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of eastern Pennsylvania.
America was Built Here! Now each unique region of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor offers plenty of opportunity to experience and celebrate this vibrant 165-mile thread of eastern Pennsylvania. Paddle a boat, hike a trail, visit a museum, ride your bike, go fishing, grab a bite to eat, listen to the music, take a walk or take in the scenery.
Our Heritage
For over 300 years, successive waves of immigrants have left imprints on the Corridor. Outward signs of cultural diversity and ethnic identity line the streets of every town and city in the Corridor. Agricultural landscapes bear witness to generations of farmers. Rows of identical houses close to industrial buildings tell of "company towns." Artists found beauty and community among the hills. Churches, ethnic cultural centers and community celebrations are important icons linking us to the roots of the Corridor's past and its vibrant future.
Landmark events in the building of our nation and a rich abundance of natural resources helped shape the Corridor and tell an important story to today's residents and visitors.
The Delaware and Lehigh Valleys played a major role in the colonies' success during the American Revolution. General George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River on 1776 occurred here. Safe havens were found in the Lehigh Valley when Philadelphians were fleeing the war. The second reading of our Declaration of Independence occurred in Easton.
Industries involving iron, steel, Portland cement and zinc processing flourished here. Coal and slate became pivotal regional exports. Silk mills moved here and found willing women workers. Around these resource-based industries arose a commercial, transportation and cultural web which survives and thrives today, still feeding the national technological innovation.
The Delaware Valley encompasses the length and breath of the Delaware Canal. Earlier agricultural and small commercial town settlements by Quakers were little disturbed by the building of the Delaware Canal in the early 1800s. From Easton to canal's end at Bristol, the landscape evolved with 19th century industry like the Grundy textile mill complex. Major impact occurred in the mid-20th century at the Fairless Steel works and in early, planned suburbia in Levittown. Transplanted coal miners from the north found work here but would return to their coal region roots for celebrations, holidays and retirement.
Alongside this transition of landscape came an ethic of Stewardship. With community pride comes responsibility and caring for the environment and historic resources to insure future generations can enjoy the same - or better - experiences and quality of life. This presents itself in one of the strongest land conservation and historic preservation programs in the state as well as an artistic movement that celebrates the land.
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