HISTORY By Jim Cheney National Pennsylvania g Harrisbur Museum, Fire Step back in time... AND AROUND THE CORNER Harrisburg Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg For every popular attraction in Pennsylvania, there is a hidden gem just around the corner. Here are a few great destinations with lesser-known neighbors. Scranton HISTORIC ATTRACTION Steamtown National Historic Site showcases America’s steam locomotive transportation history. Visitors can even take a trip aboard a vintage train. NEARBY HIDDEN GEM Discover why Scranton is called the “Electric City” at the Electric City Trolley Station and Museum . Learn about the region’s transportation history, and board a restored streetcar. HISTORIC ATTRACTION Called “the handsomest building I’ve ever seen” by President Theodore Roosevelt, the Pennsylvania State Capitol isn’t just the seat of government; it’s also one of the architectural gems of the state. NEARBY HIDDEN GEM Chronicling the history of firefighting in the state, the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum features antique fire engines, historic firefighting equipment, toys, and much more. Philadelphia HISTORIC ATTRACTION Visitors line up to see the Liberty Bell , which rang the announcement of independence from Great Britain. Its famous crack is a must-see in Philadelphia. NEARBY HIDDEN GEM Learn about the contributions Jewish Americans have made when you visit the National Museum of American Jewish History , a Smithsonian Affiliate and the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. It was originally founded by the members of the historic Congregation Mikveh Israel established in 1740 and known as the “Synagogue of the American Revolution.” Chadds Ford HISTORIC ATTRACTION The site of a major British victory during the Revolutionary War, the Brandywine Battlefield Park preserves the battlefield’s legacy in the fight for American independence. NEARBY HIDDEN GEM Home to great American paintings, the Brandywine River Museum of Art is an art lover’s dream. The museum is best known for its works by the world-renowned Wyeth family. National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia Bethlehem HISTORIC ATTRACTION A Smithsonian Affiliate, the National Museum of Industrial History showcases how American industry has evolved, with a special focus on the industries that thrived in the region. NEARBY HIDDEN GEM Learn the story of Bethlehem’s Moravian founders at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem . See a large 18th-century log house and experience the history of this little-known sect. Gettysburg HISTORIC ATTRACTION The Gettysburg National Military Park preserves the battle that was the turning point of the Civil War. Tour the battlefield with a guide and learn about the importance of this hallowed ground. NEARBY HIDDEN GEM Eat and sleep at the Dobbin House Tavern , a Civil War-era home in the heart of Gettysburg. Ask to see where runaway slaves hid while escaping along the Underground Railroad. Liberty Bell, Philadelphia 14 visitPA.com
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