Saturday, May 30, 2015

Route 6 Connection - May 2015 Newsletter



May 2015 Industry Newsletter

May has been a very busy month along the PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor. Not only did we celebrate National Tourism Week, but we held our Annual Meeting and DO 6 Awards program in Carbondale, last year's Heritage Community of the Year.
A new campaign was launched to build awareness of the PA Heritage Areas (PA Route 6 is one of 12 Heritage Areas).
One of our major attractions in the center of Route 6 re-opened after a 2 year renovations project.
Busy, busy month - but it's not over. With the summer season upon us, there is a lot more coming up...stay tuned.


NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL 
Almost 21 years ago, US Route 6 in Pennsylvania was dedicated as a National Recreational Trail by the National Park Service of the US Department of Interior. Named as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, the roadway was celebrated for its scenic beauty as well as its historical significance.
Officially dedicated as part of the National Trail System in July 1994, US Route 6 in Pennsylvania was cited for providing a variety of outdoor recreation and being easily accessible from major urban areas such as New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo.
Today US Route is also a Pennsylvania Heritage Area known for telling the story of transporting natural resources across the state and country as well as a connector to historical, cultural and recreational sites. In fact, within the PA Route 6 Corridor, there are: 19 state parks, 7 state forests, and one national forest-the Allegheny National Forest.

Next Month's Feature....ROUTE 6 AS A TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR 


PA LUMBER MUSEUM RE-OPENS
The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum re-opened after an almost 2 year renovation. The Grand Opening was celebrated on Friday, May 15. The museum is a recreated turn-of-the 20th-century lumber mill and camp with a visitors center and themed exhibitions, operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum Associates (PALMA). It is located right on Route 6 between Coudersport and Galeton near Mile Marker 187. The new facility includes expanded galleries, new interpretive exhibitions, community meeting space and commercial style kitchen space, among other improvements. 

HeritagePA Launches New Awareness Campaign as Part of Tourism Week
HeritagePA, the state's collective body of the twelve state-designated Heritage Areas, celebrated one of the state's leading economic driver - tourism. Operating since 1989, the Heritage Areas have transformed special places in Pennsylvania, helping to create a state with worldwide appeal for visitors and guests.
"The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania holds within its boundaries some of the most significant historic, cultural, and recreational sites in the country," said Jane Sheffield, heritage manager for the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area and president of HeritagePA. "It is those sites that make the great state of Pennsylvania a must-see destination for travelers from all over the world. These visitors spend money in our small businesses, stay at locally owned and operated hotels and lodges, eat in our neighborhood restaurants and enjoy recreational activities supported by local outfitters and operators. This economic impact has, and continues to, support our communities and one of the Commonwealth's leading industries - tourism."
Heritage tourism supports more than 25,000 jobs, and heritage defined visitors were responsible for more than $126.5 million in state and local tax revenues in 2014. Heritage areas conserve and develop cultural, historic and recreational infrastructure that preserves regional assets, and connect Pennsylvania's legacy to the present day, while providing the state's tourism an even stronger viability to revitalize our communities - so that Pennsylvania continues to be a desirable place to live, work, raise a family and prosper.
For more information visit the HeritagePA website.


 PA Route 6 Annual Meeting Held in  
Historic Carbondale

Close your eyes and think about that special place, Lorne Possinger, Northeastern Advisor for DCNR told the crowd of over 50 people at the PA Route 6 Annual Meeting on May 14. He then went on to recount his memories of special places along Route 6. Possinger reminded the crowd that the role of Heritage Areas to help preserve and promote those special places and congratulated the PA Route 6 Alliance for 10 years of serving the northern tier of Pennsylvania.
The Annual Meeting began with an evening tour and reception at the Carbondale Historical Museum and a morning trolley ride through the town. During the meeting, Executive Director Terri Dennison recounted the 6 significant accomplishments over the last 10 years and  Consultant Rick Truscello of The EADS Group provided an update on the Management Action Plan, the Alliance's guidebook for the next 10 years.  Read more... 


 "DO 6" AWARDS REVEALED AT ANNUAL MEETING  


The PA Route 6 Alliance presented the following individuals and organizations with a "Do 6" award at their annual meeting on Thursday, May 14 in Carbondale. Over 50 attendees celebrated the award winners, who exemplify the mission of the PA Route 6 Alliance to protect and preserve the scenic, cultural, historical and recreational resources in the northern tier.

HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP AWARD  

HERITAGE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Richard "Dick" Snyder, Posthumously, Milford
   
HERITAGE COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR
Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee and the Borough of Conneaut Lake

HERITAGE TOURISM AWARD
 
ARTISAN OF THE YEAR 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD


PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES KNOCK

1.) Motorcycle Loops Map and Interactive campaign -  Deadline: May 29. Click here for more information and form.

2.) Railroading Enthusiasts:
Deadline: June 30.  Calling all Railroad based attractions - we will be placing an ad in a special co-op advertising section in AAA World Magazine's Fall Edition, featuring train excursions and railroad memorabilia. Click here for form.  

Please call the office (814-435-7706) if you are interested in either of these promotions. 

LONG DISTANCE RUNNER TREKKING ACROSS U.S. ROUTE 6
On May 11, Aprylle Gilbert , an extreme distance runner from San Francisco left the western terminus of US Route 6 to begin her 3,652 mile run across country. She is raising money for Coast-to-Coast for Kids and plans to run 30 - 50 miles a day. We will keep you informed as she gets closer to Pennsylvania. We would love to have everyone along Route 6 offer her a hearty welcome. See press release.

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