The birthplace of the modern oil industry is in northwestern Pennsylvania, and few communities in the state were as affected by the industry as Oil City. Driving through the town, it’s impossible not to notice the grandiose buildings that once housed some of the most…
Franklin, Pennsylvania, the county seat of Venango County, is an area known for its rich history in the oil industry. However, in the heart of downtown Franklin is a museum that has little to do with this industry. In fact, it has little to do…
Meadville, Pennsylvania, is a charming city in Crawford County and was the first permanent settlement in northwestern PA. This long history has led to many historic buildings dotting the city’s downtown and residential areas. And, while many of these buildings are home to many great…
This article is brought to you by HeritagePA and is based on my travel experiences in the Oil Heritage Region. Pennsylvania has been home to many world-changing events over the years, from the Declaration of Independence, to the discovery of the polio vaccine, to the creation…
Tucked away near the northwestern border of Pennsylvania, as far away as you can get from places like Philadelphia and Harrisburg while still staying in PA, is one of the state’s best destinations for train lovers: the Lake Shore Railway Museum. Occupying the former New…
When I first found out that Erie had a maritime museum, I was a bit confused. After all, Erie is more than six hours by car from the Atlantic Ocean. The truth, though, is that the Erie Maritime Museum makes perfect sense once you learn a…
Long before my first visit to Erie, I was told many times that I had to visit Presque Isle. With more than four million visitors each year, Presque Isle is Pennsylvania’s most visited state park and receives more visitors than many famous national parks. Located entirely…
One of the hottest topics of the 21st century is energy. Politicians are constantly talking about becoming energy independent and the latest fads in green energy. However, did you know that at one point, the center of the world’s oil production was in northwest Pennsylvania?…
