Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation

10/07/2026

Our latest Podcast is now available. "Fallingwater at 90: Preserving a World Heritage Site for Generations to Come" with Justin Gunther, Director of Fallingwater.

For more stories on the people and places that make Pennsylvania so very special, subscribe to the We Love PA History! Podcast from Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation.

10/07/2026

We're on the homestretch of our Virtual5K - ending on William Penn's Birthday, October 14. As we prepare for his birthday, we're sharing some about William Penn.

Resulting from his experience with the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Great Plague in 1665, Penn rejected cramped European city layouts. He ordered wide streets arranged in a grid and large house lots separated by gardens to prevent the spread of fire and disease. His vision was for Philadelphia to be a "Greene Country Towne."

It's not too late to participate in our to support the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation. We build awareness, understanding and appreciation for our rich history throughout the Commonwealth. Because History Matters.

The Pennsylvania Heroes for History 5k is on Wednesday July 1, 2026 to Wednesday October 14, 2026.

10/06/2026

One of the oldest high schools in Pennsylvania is Central High School, which was founded in 1836. Today, is the second oldest continuously operating public high school in the US.

Located in Philadelphia, it opened on October 26, 1838 with four professors and sixty-three students. Alexander Dallas Bache, great great grandson of Benjamin Franklin, was elected the first President of Central High School.

Because city voters only reluctantly had been convinced of the need for a high school, the curriculum was carefully and publicly geared to the needs of taxpayers. Central’s founders made an especially concerted effort to avoid educating students in the manner of private academies of the day, where classical languages and literature were of paramount importance.

Alumni from Central High School include:

Harry Shuman - MLB pitcher
Larry Fine - of the Three Stooges
Teller - magician in the duo, Penn & Teller
Henry Abraham -Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Norman Fell - actor

10/06/2026

Happy Archives Month!

Congratulations! Governor Josh Shapiro signed this proclamation declaring October 2026 as .

? The Pennsylvania State had made available to the public more the 1.5 million records via its online portals.

10/05/2026

The Penn Relays
Olympic medalists. World record holders. Athletic legends. And all alumni of the annual Penn Relays, the list includes Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Roger Bannister, Marion Jones and many more.

First staged on April 20, 1895, a year before the modern Olympics debuted in Athens, the relays have been run every year since. The idea evolved from an 1893 publicity stunt; to help boost interest in an annual track meet hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, organizers decided to run a relay race for the meet's finale.

The first Penn Relays was a smash success, drawing an attendance of approximately 5,000, the largest track and field crowd to that time in Philadelphia. The meet is now the longest uninterrupted collegiate track meet in the country.

10/02/2026

Weekend Plans?
It’s a busy weekend on the Pennsylvania Trails of History!
Events are subject to change. We encourage you to confirm the details with the site before heading out.

Friday:
Archaeology Month brought to you by the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office: Friday Afternoon webinars in Ocotober.
Lantern Tours at Washington Crossing Historic Park

Saturday:
Over There – A WWI Experience at Pennsylvania Military Museum
Walking Tours of Anthracite Village at Cornwall Iron Furnace
Pithole Lantern Tours by Drake Well Museum and Park
Lantern Tours at Washington Crossing Historic Park
In the Wake of Brandywine! Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site
Special Hours for Sensory Needs at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Sunday:
Historic Trade Demonstrations at Pennsbury Manor
Garden Railways Tour by Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

10/01/2026

October 1, 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened at midnight. Traffic jams occurred along its length as thousands of people went for pleasure drives.

turnpike has been mentioned in multiple songs, including George Vaughn Horton’s “Pennsylvania Turnpike, I Love You So,” Billy Joel’s “You’re My Home,” and Why’s? “Probable Cause.”

Enjoy these postcard images from the collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives.

09/30/2026

What is a Hot-Chee Dog?

Out and about in Carlisle, Cumberland County, yesterday and found this "Legends & Lore" marker. A Hot-Chee Dog is hearty spin on a classic chili-cheese dog and consists of a grilled hot dog in a bun, topped with a slice of American cheese, the Hamilton's signature chili, a squeeze of yellow mustard, and a generous heap of diced onions.

The Hamilton Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Carlisle and has been serving this dish since 1938.

09/29/2026

Happy

In the Penn family papers, there is a recipe for coffee that includes rosemary and saffron. Interestingly, the placement of the recipe was not with other foods. In the 17th century, coffee was considered an herbal remedy.

09/28/2026

First Night Game in American Football History

Took place September 28, 1892, just 13 years after Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.

During this time in history, football was still in its infancy, much like the electric light. It had not yet become a popular national sport and was just beginning to gain notoriety. In 1891, Mansfield State Normal School had created its first football team and decided they could use the buzz around the electric lights to showcase their new sport to the masses by playing a game under the new lights.

The first night football game had a national impact, as well as the one it had on Mansfield itself. The College Football Hall of Fame created an exhibit which celebrates the first night football game in Mansfield. General Electric also produced a commercial which aired nationally to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the game. This game laid the foundation for what night football games have become today.

Source: "Let There Be Light: Football's First Night Game" by Bob Fulton from the Fall 2023 issue of Pennsylvania Heritage magazine.

Learn about and subscribe to Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine https://www.paheritage.org/membership/pa-heritage-magazine-subscription-mc.html

Image: Smythe Park at Mansfield State Normal School in daylight in the era of the first “illuminated” night game.