Schuylkill River National Heritage Area (U.S. National Park Service)

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Schuylkill River Valley National Heritage Area

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is the birthplace of the movements that shaped the nation, fueled its growth, and reclaimed its future. It was along the banks of this river and its tributaries that the American, Industrial, and Environmental Revolutions were born. Explore the stories, visit the places, and experience the region’s vitality by visiting the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. more...

		American Revolution The battle for America’s independence began and turned upon events within the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. In Philadelphia group of men took bold steps and did something that had never been done before: declared their freedom from the most powerful nation on earth.

		Industrial Revolution Industrialism took hold along the Schuylkill River and its tributaries very early in the nation’s history. Mines, factories, mills and forges sprung up across the region. To efficiently move materials and product between the cities and towns along the river, the Schuylkill River Navigation System was built utilizing canals and slackwater pools rimmed by a towpath. Today visitors can visit a coal mine, restored sites of furnaces and sections of the former Schuylkill Navigation System.

		Environmental Revolution The roots of the nation’s environmental movement can be traced to the people, places and events in the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. In the 1940’s the Schuylkill River was the site of the nation’s first major environmental cleanup, removing 24.7 million cubic yards of coal silt from the river. In the Schuylkill River region naturalists like John Bartram and John James Audubon began to document their surroundings. From Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton to diverse botanical gardens and arboretums, mother nature takes center stage along the Schuylkill River.

		The River Today The Schuylkill River today is a vital regional commons. Over 3.2 million people live within its watershed, and the drinking water for over 1.75 million people comes from the river or one of its tributaries. The protection of open space and agriculture, revitalization of the communities and neighborhoods and the education of interpretation of this region’s rich and storied past is critical to its future.

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Schuylkill River National Heritage Area
140 College Drive
Pottstown, PA 19464

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Phone

Visitor Information
(484) 945-0200

Fax

(484) 945-0204

Climate

Southeastern Pennsylvania's climate is temperate. Summers are usually humid with temperatures ranging from normal highs of 80-95 degrees to lows of 55-70 degrees(F). During winter temperatures range from normal highs of 20-40 degrees to lows of 10-25 degrees(F). Conditions can become icy and snow can accumulate up to several inches.