Stars, Stripes & Scenic Rides: Exploring the Patriotic Charm of PA Route 6 | | |
America250PA is Pennsylvania’s statewide initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, celebrating the rich history, culture, and achievements that have shaped the nation. One significant focus of this commemoration is the PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor, which spans over 400 miles across the northern tier of Pennsylvania and is recognized as one of the most scenic drives in America.
This corridor weaves through charming small towns, historic landmarks, and breathtaking natural landscapes, serving as a living museum of Pennsylvania’s past. Along Route 6, visitors encounter stories of Native American heritage, early settlers, the rise of industry, and the resilience of rural communities.
Through initiatives like America250PA, the corridor becomes more than a road, it transforms into a platform for education, reflection, and celebration of the diverse legacies that have contributed to both Pennsylvania’s and the nation’s identity.
Explore Lasting Landmarks
across the PA Route 6 Corridor.
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Hawley Silk Mill's Semiquincentennial Bell
In celebration of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026, America250PA, in partnership with Settlers Hospitality, has installed a permanent Semiquincentennial Bell at the Hawley Silk Mill in the Pocono Mountains.
This is the second Semiquincentennial Bell to be installed across the Commonwealth. The Hawley Silk Mill, a historic site dating back to 1880, has long been a cornerstone of the local community. The property, preserved and operated by Settlers Hospitality, also includes the Cocoon Coffeehouse and Bakery and the Ledges Hotel, which was once a glassware factory.
The Hawley Silk Mill was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, underscoring its cultural and historical significance. The installation of the bell not only honors the site’s legacy but also contributes to the broader statewide recognition of America’s 250th anniversary.
| | A Few Patriotic Activities Across PA Route 6 | | Happenings Across the Corridor | | |
For an inclusive list of Happenings throughout the PA Route 6 Corridor
check out our Tourism Partners event calendars!
SUBMIT AN EVENT HERE
to be added to our website calendar and newsletter.
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Linesville Outdoor Summer Concert Series
3rd Saturday June-September
Blossom & Blooms Boutique, Linesville, PA
Linesville is hosting its 4th Outdoor Summer Concert Series outside Blossoms & Blooms Boutique! In 2024, the boutique commissioned artist Justin Suarez to create a vibrant aerosol mural on the side of their building. This colorful artwork now serves as a striking backdrop for the live performances.
So grab your lawn chair, pack the cooler, and make your way to Linesville for a summer evening of music and fun!
Click here for more information.
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FREE EVENT!
Friday, July 4, 2025, 10AM
Ole Bull State Park
31 Valhalla Lane, Cross Fork, PA
Join the park educator, for an easy and flat 1 mile hike along the Beaver Haven Nature Trail. Wear footwear and clothing suitable for hiking. Please bring drinking water and anything else you need for a hike. Meeting location is at the amphitheater.
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FREE EVENT!
Friday, July 4, 2025, 10AM
Lackawanna State Park
1839 Abington Road, North Abington Twp, PA
Work up an appetite before your Independence Day picnic!
We are going to take on the entire length of Lackawanna Lake on this moderately-paced, 5-mile paddle. Kayaks, paddles, and PFD’s are available to borrow or bring your own. Be sure to bring drinking water, a snack, and sunscreen - we will be on the water for approximately 3 hours. This program is designed for ages 12 and up who have kayaking experience.
- Space is limited.
- Basic kayaking experience required.
- Those under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
- Pre-registration required by 4pm the day prior.
To register, contact Tony at 570-945-7110 or email antdesanti@pa.gov.
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25-26 General Hunting & Trapping Licenses go on sale Monday, June 23, 2025
Licenses are valid July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Learn More Here
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PA Route 6 Alliance celebrates $100k in Façade Funding for Improvements in the Pocono Mountains Region in Wayne and Pike Counties.
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PA Route 6 Façade Program
in the Northeastern PA a Success
The PA Route 6 Alliance has announced the award recipients for the PA Route 6 Façade Program in Wayne and Pike Counties. To date, the program is supporting 20 projects in these counties, representing more than $200,000 in façade improvements. The success of this year’s program reflects strong partnerships between the PA Route 6 Alliance, Pocono Forests and Waters Landscape Area, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, and the Greater Honesdale Partnership.
This initiative was made possible through a $100,000 Keystone Communities Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), additional support from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and matching funds from local businesses and organizations. The program is part of a broader PA Route 6 Alliance strategy to stimulate economic development by enhancing the visual appeal of small towns across the 11-county PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor. Continue Reading
Awarded projects in Wayne and Pike Counties:
- Northeast Design Associates & CAPES, Hawley
- Hawley Cultural and Creative Arts Center, Hawley
- Church Street Hardware, Hawley
- Pke County Historical Society and Museum, Milford
- Cathy Salak DMD, Waymart
- Miss Elly’s Antiques & Such, Hawley
- Unity Grange #1710, Damascus
- Kenjan Mgmt LLC, Hawley
- North Atlantic Rental, Matamoras
- Rehab & Revive LLC, Hawley
- Rent Equip LLC, Honesdale
- Seelyville Fire Company, Honesdale
- 515 Broad St. LLC, Milford
- Honesdale Borough Police Station, Honesdale
- Costa’s Family Fun Park, Hawley
| | 2025 PA Route 6 Educational Workshop, Annual Meeting & "Do 6" Awards | |
September 10-11, 2025 | Kane, Pennsylvania
Inform. Inspire. Innovate.
Strengthening Communities Together.
We are honored to welcome a distinguished group of speakers to the 2025 PA Route 6 Educational Workshop, Annual Meeting, and “Do 6” Awards. This year’s presenters bring a wealth of expertise in Pennsylvania tourism, community-focused arts initiatives, the economic impact of the arts, and adaptive reuse of spaces in our communities. Their insights will inspire and inform as we explore innovative ways to strengthen our communities along the PA Route 6 corridor.
View Tentative Schedule Here
| | Announcing Our 2025 "Do 6" Award Recipients | | |
LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
To Be Announced
At Annual Meeting
Presented to a person or agency who exemplifies outstanding leadership and advances our mission through heritage development.
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HERITAGE
PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Grey Towers
Heritage Association,
Pike County
Presented to a group, person or organization that has demonstrated excellence in historic preservation, cultural preservation, interpretation, and/or education through cross-corridor thinking and interagency cooperation.
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HERITAGE
TOURISM AWARD
Lynn Hall,
McKean County
Presented to a business or project that furthers economic and tourism development while respecting the heritage and cultural resources of the PA Route 6 Corridor.
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ARTISAN OF
THE YEAR AWARD
Blossom & Blooms Boutique,
Crawford County
Presented to an artist or artisan group that exemplifies the goals of the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail program showing regional thinking and cooperation while promoting the arts along the corridor.
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HERITAGE
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Michelle Gray - Warren County Historical Society,
Warren County
Presented to a person(s), business or organization for meaningful contributions and/or through partnerships, by enriching our communities through landscape initiatives or historic preservation.
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HERITAGE COMMUNITY
OF THE YEAR AWARD
Coudersport,
Potter County
Presented to the designated Heritage Community, who are embracing their Heritage Tourism Work Plans and implementing worthwhile projects, and showing impacts and results.
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Old Spaces, New Energy:
The Power of Adaptive Reuse Workshop
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On June 4th, PA Route 6 Alliance participated in the Old Spaces, New Energy: The Power of Adaptive Reuse workshop held at the Six and Kane building in Kane, PA. This workshop was inspired by a prior strategic thinking session hosted by the West Penn Energy Fund in collaboration with MYNDDSET.
During that earlier session, Kane local and workshop participant John Cleland asked a pivotal question: “How can I apply strategic thinking to support my team on our adaptive reuse project?” Recognizing a broader need within rural communities to revitalize and repurpose historic structures, West Penn Energy Fund responded by assembling a design team, including PA Route 6 Alliance, to create a hands-on workshop focused on adaptive reuse through the lens of strategic thinking.
Hosted by MYNDDSET, the full-day workshop at Six&Kane welcomed more than 50 attendees. The event featured several showcase projects, which shared valuable insights into the challenges and successes of repurposing older buildings. Participants also received a preview of the West Penn Energy Playbook, offering practical tools and strategies for future reuse initiatives.
| | Old Spaces, New Energy Playbook | | |
The Old Spaces, New Energy Playbook by West Penn Energy Fund redefines traditional approaches to leadership and community transformation. Rather than providing a set of rules or "how-to" instructions, it offers a field guide that emphasizes vision and relationships, encouraging readers to move beyond typical, predictable solutions and aim for transformational change.
The playbook invites people to view adaptive reuse as more than just a physical renovation of spaces; it explores the importance of story, systems, and stewardship in reshaping communities. Rooted in systems thinking, the playbook offers practical guidance on how to see new possibilities and work collaboratively, whether individually, as a team, or with communities, focusing on the "why" behind transformative actions rather than simply the "how."
A follow-up workshop will be held at Six&Kane during the PA Route 6 Alliance 2025 Annual Workshop, Annual Meeting, and "Do 6" Awards, scheduled for September 10th-11th. There is no cost to attend the workshop on September 11th at Six&Kane, as the West Penn Energy Fund has generously sponsored the events for that day. However, participation on September 10th, which includes a Workshop and the PA Route 6 Alliance Annual Meeting & "Do 6" Awards, has a fee of $85. Pre-registration is required for both days of the event.
The PA Route 6 Alliance is deeply grateful to the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund for the opportunity to partner on the Old Spaces, New Energy: The Power of Adaptive Reuse Workshop and the development of the accompanying Playbook. We’re honored to collaborate on such a forward-thinking initiative that supports the revitalization of rural communities through strategic reuse of underutilized spaces. Thank you for recognizing the value of our shared mission and for including us in this impactful effort.
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ARTISAN SPOTLIGHT
Art in the Wilds
MCKEAN COUNTY
Evergreen Park, Kane, PA
June 28 & 29, 2025
Art in the Wilds is an outdoor fine art and fine craft show held annually during the 4th weekend of June in a park setting in the northern Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Since 2006 Art in the Wilds has brought artists and art lovers together for 2 days in Kane, PA. Artists are selected through a 'blind jury' process to ensure quality artwork and a balanced show with a variety of media and a wide range of price points.
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PA Route 6 Public Art & Mural Trail
Connecting Communities Through Art: Over 60 Locations!
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Smead Creek Mural
at the Troy Sale Barn
50 Ballard St, Troy, PA 16947
The Smead Creek Mural, painted by Sadie Allen in 2021, is located in the parking lot of the historic Troy Sale Barn. The mural reflects the rich agricultural history of Troy, making its location especially fitting.
The Troy Sale Barn, originally known as the Livestock Sale Pavilion, was built in the 1920s by a group of farmers who recognized the need for a central place to host livestock sales. At the time, agriculture was a key industry, and these sales brought families into town to conduct business, shop, and run errands. For nearly 70 years, the livestock sales had a significant economic impact on the community, continuing until the early 2000s.
To preserve this important piece of local heritage, a group of citizens formed the Troy Sale Barn Operating Corporation, preventing the building from being demolished. Today, the Sale Barn has been revitalized as a vibrant community space, hosting weddings, events, and gatherings throughout the year.
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By supporting our artisans, you’re helping to enrich the communities along PA Route 6.
The success of these local businesses not only streghtens the economy, but also inspires other entrepreneurs to set up shop. A robust economic ecosystem is imperative to the health and vitality of our towns. On behalf of our artisans and communities, we THANK YOU!
| | Heritage Community SPOTLIGHT | |
Centrally located in Tioga County and central to the county’s activity, entertainment, and culture, the Pennsylvania Heritage Community of Mansfield lives up to its nickname of “Crossroads of the Northern Tier!” The Victorian architecture of Mansfield’s Main Street houses jam-packed antique stores, small-town businesses, and delicious dining establishments. The University on the hill provides an eclectic array of arts and cultural events and a plethora of interesting visitors, too. All of this—nestled in the picturesque mountains of northern Pennsylvania—just a hop, skip, and jump from endless outdoor recreation opportunities at nearby Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, Hills Creek State Park, and Cowanesque Lake.
See the Top 6 Ways to “Do 6” in Galeton, PA.
| | Attend one of the Mansfield Final Friday Markets! This community event features FREE concerts and activities, local artisan vendors, beer garden, food trucks and MORE! | | HERITAGE COMMUNITY RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES: | | | | |
Wild Resource Conservation Program Grant
Deadline: July 7, 2025
The Wild Resource Conservation Program aids in the conservation of the commonwealth’s native flora and non-game fauna. The program provides grants and facilitates the flow of information between researchers, conservationists, and educators. Learn more here.
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Want to Become a PA Heart & Soul Community?
Join PA Humanities for a virtual information session:
June 12, 2025, from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
What You'll Learn:
Learn about the Community Heart & Soul® model, an inclusive, resident-driven process that helps towns build stronger, healthier futures. We'll cover:
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The four-phase Community Heart & Soul process
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The 2025 application timeline to become a PA Heart & Soul community
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Our Summer Workshop Series to prepare your community for the application process
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Additional funding and support available to implement the process
Who should attend?
Keep in mind that PA Heart & Soul is open to communities with populations 30,000 or under and the local municipality must be involved. We encourage teams of diverse community representatives to attend, especially those involved in:
- Municipal government
- Local non-profits
- Schools and youth organizations
- Community and civic groups
- Neighborhood associations or groups
- Arts, humanities and cultural groups that conduct community outreach and engagement
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Anyone interested in resident-led community planning
Reserve Your Spot Today: https://forms.gle/K9L6QQeoskHHazHs7
Questions? Contact Jen Danifo at jdanifo@pahumanities.org
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PA Heart & Soul Celebrates It's 10 Year Anniversary
On May 13th, PA Route 6 Alliance gathered in Harrisburg to celebrate a decade of impact on our communities. We were joined by PA Humanities, the Orton Foundation, DCNR, and DCED to honor this milestone. We are incredibly proud of the six PA Heart & Soul Communities along the Route 6 Corridor; Carbondale, Mansfield, Port Allegany, Wyoming County, Tidioute, and Youngsvillem - as well as all the communities across Pennsylvania that have embraced this movement. Here’s to the power of storytelling, connection, and community-driven change!
| | PA Route 6 Alliance, Stop #4 on the Lumber Heritage Trail at Wilds Sonshine Factory | |
11 West Main Street
Galeton, PA 16922
814-435-7706
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