Collaborate: Every
project and initiative within the corridor is identified and
implemented by the partners, typically including
two or more governmental levels, one or more communities and
at least one nonprofit. An example is
the “Audubon’s Lehigh Auto Tour,” which is
a result of a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s Wetlands Division, the Pennsylvania Department
of Community Affairs Bureau of State Parks, Carbon County, and
the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Commission,
with the help of high school and college teams from the Student
Conservation Association. The project celebrates the life, travels,
paintings, and conservation and preservation impacts of renowned
naturalist John James Audubon. The groups came together over
a two-year period of research and development, producing books
and tapes available at various locations along the route.
Find
the Fit between the Community and Tourism: By actively
participating in locally based stakeholder forums, the commission
is able to respond to needs and concerns while facilitating sustainable
solutions to heritage tourism and development issues. This is
equally important in urban communities like Easton and Bethlehem
that embrace tourism development and adapt easily to Heritage
Corridor initiatives as well
as in small, rural communities that have limited access to the
expertise necessary to enhance their cultural and historical
resources. The commission created the position of Heritage Development
Specialist to concentrate on the undeniable connection between
small-town economic and heritage tourism issues, and conservation
and preservation.
Make
Sites and Programs Come Alive: Visitors along the
canal corridor can indulge in everything from recreational
activities
like skiing and white-water
rafting to festivals celebrating music, the arts, and heritage.
Eckley Miners’ Village, the Bethlehem Steel complex, and
a
historic Moravian community offer insights to the array of cultures
that
have helped form the corridor. Mule-driven canal boat rides are
available
at Hugh Moore Park and walking in famous footsteps is an option
at Washington Crossing Historic Park where, on Christmas Eve,
1776, General George Washington lead 2,400 troops across the
ice-choked Delaware to
attack the Hessian soldiers garrisoned
in Trenton, New Jersey.
Focus
on Quality and Authenticity: In the late 20th century,
the canal and river towns in the center of the corridor turned
their backs on waterways and railroads, choosing instead improved,
modern transportation routes like highways and airports. Until
recently, they felt their futures depended on looking modern
and “with it.” Now, they are looking to their roots,
relearning why they existed in the first place, and uncovering
the authentic heritage of their communities —the elements
that make them unique. These communities now understand the role
of their past in their future and they are dusting off their
front porches and downtowns, looking back toward historic transportation
routes and realizing that their past is their future.
Preserve
and Protect Resources: “We have served as a
catalyst for multitudes of
renovation projects throughout the
corridor by either placing the first
matchable dollar on the table or uncovering their amazing story,” explains Pridemore. The
Corridor Commission’s first successful renovation project
was
the IceHouse in Bethlehem. One could presume that the old canalside
structure was the repository of ice gathered from the river,
but the true story is that the structure was an artificial ice
production and storage facility. Facing possible
demolition, the building was saved
and rehabilitated and is now used as
a successful performing arts facility.
Collaborate: Every
project and initiative within the corridor is identified and
implemented by the partners, typically including
two or more governmental levels, one or more communities and
at least one nonprofit. An example is
the “Audubon’s Lehigh Auto Tour,” which is
a result of a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s Wetlands Division, the Pennsylvania Department
of Community Affairs Bureau of State Parks, Carbon County, and
the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Commission,
with the help of high school and college teams from the Student
Conservation Association. The project celebrates the life, travels,
paintings, and conservation and preservation impacts of renowned
naturalist John James Audubon. The groups came together over
a two-year period of research and development, producing books
and tapes available at various locations along the route.
Find
the Fit between the Community and Tourism: By actively
participating in locally based stakeholder forums, the commission
is able to respond to needs and concerns while facilitating sustainable
solutions to heritage tourism and development issues. This is
equally important in urban communities like Easton and Bethlehem
that embrace tourism development and adapt easily to Heritage
Corridor initiatives as well
as in small, rural communities that have limited access to the
expertise necessary to enhance their cultural and historical
resources. The commission created the position of Heritage Development
Specialist to concentrate on the undeniable connection between
small-town economic and heritage tourism issues, and conservation
and preservation. 
Make
Sites and Programs Come Alive: Visitors along the
canal corridor can indulge in everything from recreational
activities
like skiing and white-water
rafting to festivals celebrating music, the arts, and heritage.
Eckley Miners’ Village, the Bethlehem Steel complex, and
a
historic Moravian community offer insights to the array of cultures
that
have helped form the corridor. Mule-driven canal boat rides are
available
at Hugh Moore Park and walking in famous footsteps is an option
at Washington Crossing Historic Park where, on Christmas Eve,
1776, General George Washington lead 2,400 troops across the
ice-choked Delaware to
attack the Hessian soldiers garrisoned
in Trenton, New Jersey.
Focus
on Quality and Authenticity: In the late 20th century,
the canal and river towns in the center of the corridor turned
their backs on waterways and railroads, choosing instead improved,
modern transportation routes like highways and airports. Until
recently, they felt their futures depended on looking modern
and “with it.” Now, they are looking to their roots,
relearning why they existed in the first place, and uncovering
the authentic heritage of their communities —the elements
that make them unique. These communities now understand the role
of their past in their future and they are dusting off their
front porches and downtowns, looking back toward historic transportation
routes and realizing that their past is their future.
Preserve
and Protect Resources: “We have served as a
catalyst for multitudes of
renovation projects throughout the
corridor by either placing the first
matchable dollar on the table or uncovering their amazing story,” explains Pridemore. The
Corridor Commission’s first successful renovation project
was
the IceHouse in Bethlehem. One could presume that the old canalside
structure was the repository of ice gathered from the river,
but the true story is that the structure was an artificial ice
production and storage facility. Facing possible
demolition, the building was saved
and rehabilitated and is now used as
a successful performing arts facility.
