Our Roots
Journey through the stories that shaped Pennsylvania’s forests and the people who depended on them. Explore key themes like Pre-Colonization, when Indigenous knowledge stewarded the land; Penn’s Woods, a vision of vast, untamed wilderness; and Building America, where timber fueled the nation’s growth.
Learn how Rivers and Timbers connected communities and drove industry, and discover the ongoing efforts of Renewing Pennsylvania’s Forests through conservation and sustainable practices. These narratives honor the past while inspiring the future of our region’s natural and cultural legacy.
News & Updates
THE HISTORY OF LOLETA January 30, 2020 -Article and photos courtesy of Bob Imhoff This area has been recently nominated and accepted onto the National Register of Historic Places. The area was once a bustling logging town, established in 1889, with over 600 inhabitants. T... Read more
News & Updates
THE HISTORY OF COOK FOREST When the Europeans arrived in the area in the 1700s, the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy used this area as hunting grounds. In 1757, the Proprietary Council of Pennsylvania sent Moravian missionary Christian Frederick Post to convince the Sen... Read more
Our Roots
Take a virtual journey through the first phase of archaeological exploration at the Bark Shanty CCC Camp in Potter County, Pennsylvania and uncover new opportunities to reconnect with our region’s rich roots in lumber and conservation history. Read more
Millionaire's Row
The 19th-century lumber boom transformed Pennsylvania’s forests into an industrial powerhouse—before overharvesting led to economic collapse and environmental devastation. This is the story of the rise, fall, and restoration of the Lumber Heritage Region. Read more
Heritage
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, unsustainable logging and agricultural practices had left many parts of the United States in ecological peril. States like Pennsylvania, once celebrated for their verdant forests, suffered severe depletion as their natural resources were... Read more
Our Roots
The 19th-century lumber industry devastated Pennsylvania’s forests, but modern efforts in managed growth and ecological sensitivity are restoring and preserving these vital resources for future generations. Learn how historical and contemporary conservation initiatives are renewi... Read more
Our Roots
Central Pennsylvania's lumber industry in the 19th century was pivotal in building America, supplying essential materials and driving economic growth through innovative logging and transportation methods. Read more
Our Roots
Pennsylvania's rivers and artificial waterways played a crucial role in transforming the state into a timber industry powerhouse, facilitating the transport of logs and fostering economic growth through innovative techniques and structures. Read more
Our Roots
The arrival of Europeans transformed North America's forests, including those in the Pennsylvania colony. Let's dive into the history and impact of this transformation. Read more
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