Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area

09/14/2026

From the Scranton Times-Tribune:

Ed E. Rogers, a hard-nosed newsman whose relentless drive and 73-year journalism career helped define local news in Northeast Pennsylvania for generations, died Thursday. He was 97.

A passionate advocate for rail preservation, he served as chairman of the Lackawanna County Railway Authority and played a pivotal role in persuading Steamtown USA to relocate from Vermont to Scranton in the 1980s, eventually becoming Steamtown National Historic Site.

09/03/2026

Dan Hryhorcoff, who drives a large bumper car and a 1950s toy pedal car on NEPA roads, will debut his latest creation at Railfest at Steamtown National Historic Site this weekend.

08/26/2026

Over the past three years, thousands of local fourth-grade students have become Junior Rangers through our Heritage Express program. This Sunday, August 30, Steamtown National Historic Site is inviting Junior Rangers—and future Junior Rangers—to join the celebration!

Stop by for Junior Ranger Day and create your own “flat ranger” to send on an adventure through the National Park System. It’s a fun way for families to learn more about the National Park Service and the more than 430 special places it protects.

We hope to see some familiar Heritage Express faces there!

08/26/2026

Rail enthusiasts have something to get on board with in September.

08/21/2026

08/20/2026

Get your running shoes ready for Griffin Pond Animal Shelter’s Rescue Run on Sunday! 👟🏃

There will be a 5K, 10K, and 2-mile fun walk at the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail to support food, medical care, and shelter for local animals in need 🐶🐱

🕖 Registration is at 7:30 a.m. at the Olive Street Pavilion, and the main events start at 9:00 a.m.
💸 It costs $30 to take part in the 5K, $35 for the 10K, and $30 for the fun walk
🐕 Dogs are welcome as long as they’re leashed!

Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Scranton/GriffinPondAnimalShelterRescueRun

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

🚂 All aboard the CommUNITY 250 Express!

Travel through the Lackawanna Valley on Saturday, September 12, for a day celebrating local history, community and America’s 250th anniversary.

The train departs Steamtown National Historic Site at 1 p.m., with stops in Jessup, Archbald and Carbondale. Along the way, enjoy community festivals, presidential reenactors, historical displays, Civil War programming, live music and more.

🎟️ Train boarding begins at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are available through Recreation.gov. See the flyer for the complete schedule and additional details.

Join us for a memorable journey through the communities and history that make the Lackawanna Valley special!

08/10/2026