Lumber Heritage Region: 2021 Year in Review

Major Milestones and Recognitions

Diversity Study and State Senate Mention
Our Diversity Study on women and African Americans in the Forest Products Industry was finalized and highlighted at the State Senate Budget Hearings by DCNR. This study provides a more inclusive narrative of the industry’s history.

PA Route 6 Heritage Tourism Award
We were honored with the PA Route 6 Heritage Tourism Award for our work on the Lumber Heritage Trail, a testament to our dedication to promoting and preserving the region’s rich history.

Expanding Partnerships and Financial Growth

Significant Increase in Partnerships
In 2021, we nearly doubled our partnerships, bringing on 59 new partners. This expansion has strengthened our network and enhanced our ability to promote the region’s heritage.

Increased Unrestricted Funds
We achieved a significant increase in unrestricted funds through book sales and grant opportunities, bringing in over $9,300 in outside revenue.

Key Projects and Initiatives

Board Restructuring
We welcomed several new board members, including Mark Humbert, Gary Lyons, Rachel Wolfel, and Colleen Hanson. We also said goodbye to long-serving members Jeremy Morey, Jodi Foster, and Candi Hand, thanking them for their dedicated service.

Wayfinding and Lumber Heritage Trail
The first phase of the Lumber Heritage Trail was completed, with signs installed at Rock Run Recreation in Cambria County and the Susquehanna River Walk in Lycoming County. We received recognition for this project with the PA Route 6 Heritage Tourism Award.

Promoting Makers and Manufacturers
We collaborated with several industry partners, including Woodrich in Williamsport and RJ Swatsworth and Sons Lumbering and Logging in Curwensville, promoting their stories through social media and newsletters.

Brochure Development and Driving Tours
We developed a brochure with a map and QR codes for the Lumber Heritage Trail, facilitating visitor navigation and promoting regional attractions.

Outreach and Community Engagement

Diverse Community Involvement
We participated in numerous events, presentations, and meetings, from the Curwensville Area School District’s Logs to Lumber Event to the Greater Renovo Heritage Area Dinner, enhancing community engagement and awareness.

Newsletters and Social Media
Our newsletter outreach saw steady engagement, with themed articles, partner highlights, and fun facts keeping our community informed and connected. Facebook remained a powerful tool for promoting our initiatives and engaging with our audience.

Looking Ahead to 2022

Diversity Study Continuation
Although the Diversity Study for the round 24 grant is complete, the project is ongoing. We plan to develop messaging for interpretive signs and educational classes to further promote diversity in the industry.

Oil and Lumber Presentation
In collaboration with the Oil Region Alliance, we will deliver educational presentations on boom heritage and its significance in building America, featuring reenactors and experts in the field.

Video Project
We will document the stories of five prominent lumber families, preserving their history for future generations. These stories will be shared with visitor bureaus, museums, and other organizations as educational resources.

West Branch Susquehanna Education
Partnering with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, we will identify and mark lumber sites along the West Branch Susquehanna River, enhancing visitor experiences through an online mapping system.

Marketing Plan Development
We will develop a comprehensive marketing plan to enhance the visibility and relevance of LHR, involving regional stakeholders in the planning process and focusing on brand and website improvements.

Thomas Taber Reprint
Plans are underway to reprint the Thomas Taber book series, consolidating the 12 existing books into one or two volumes to generate unrestricted revenue for LHR.

Partnership Growth
We will continue to grow our partnership base, hosting LHR Partnership 101 webinars and engaging new and existing partners in our mission to promote the region’s heritage.

2021 was a year of progress and expansion for LHR, setting a strong foundation for continued success in 2022 and beyond. We thank our dedicated team, supportive partners, and engaged community for their contributions to our achievements.