The Appalachian Preservation Society
Pennsylvania
The US50 - A guide to the fifty states. One of the original thirteen colonies, Pennsylvania is today surrounded by the states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio. It has a land area of 44,820 square miles and 735 square miles of the area of Lake Erie. It ranks 33rd in area among the 50 states. Pennsylvania has an average width of 285 miles, east to west, and an average north-to-south distance of 156 miles.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy was established on February 16, 1932 to become the second conservancy in the United States.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web site. Uncover Pennsylvania's natural treasures in its abundant woodlands and waters, rich geologic history and diverse wildlife. The section on Common Trees with Color Photographs of Pennsylvania's common trees, provided by PlantAmerica. The Pennsylvania Bureau of State Forestry web site contains information and detailed maps of all Pennsylvania state forests.
The Pennsylvania Geologic Survey, a section of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Since 1836, the Pennsylvania Geologic Survey has explored almost every region of the state - deciphering the record of past geological events and searching out the natural geologic resources that support our Commonwealth's economy and its people.
Pennsylvania State Parks. Click on the map to go to a graph of the parks in that region.
Pennsylvania's Enviromental Heritage: Ornithology. Pennsylvania's ornithological history can be divided roughly into four periods, each characterized by certain prevailing biases, attitudes, goals, and achievements. Each period is also dominated by distinct personalities.
PA PowerPort. The offical Pennsylvania Home Page.
Pure Pennsylvania. This is your gateway to all that Pennsylvania has to offer - vibrant cities, quaint small towns, verdant woodlands and so much more are just a few clicks away. To get started, choose an option above, or check out our Featured Site! And check out the Pennsylvania's Heritage Regions.
Welcome to Pennsylvania State Parks. To find a park you would like to visit, click on a region or use the alphabetical listing.
State TopoView Pennsylvania from the National Geophysical Data Center.
Pennsylvania National Forest from the USDA Forest Service web site.
Pennsylvania State Symbols Information from 50states.com.
Pennsylvania State History and Spotlight on Pennsylvania History from The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's web site. And the European population of Pennsylvania in 1681.
Valley Forge National Historical Park. Few places evoke the spirit of patriotism and independence, represent individual and collective sacrifice, or demonstrate the resolve, tenacity and determination of the people of the United States to be free, as does Valley Forge.
The Allegheny National Forest sits in the rugged plateau country of northwestern Pennsylvania. Many creeks and streams cut deeply into the plateau, creating a rolling and sometimes steep topography with a 1,300 foot range of elevation. The terrain is covered with a typical eastern hardwood forest: Black cherry, yellow poplar, white ash, red maple, and sugar maple are all common to the area.
Almost all of the nation's anthracite coal is found in eastern Pennsylvania. There are about 7 billion tons of minable anthracite coal reserves in Pennsylvania. Anthracite coal seams are locked in the folded layers of rock that make up the geology of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This geology often made it dangerous and difficult to mine.
The Daniel Boone Homestead. The mid-18th century structure that survives today is built over the spring and cellar where the first Boone log cabin stood and where young Daniel Boone lived before his family moved to North Carolina.
National Canal Museum. The Schuylkill and Susquehanna Canal Company, the first public canal company in this country, was chartered in Philadelphia.
German Society of Pennsylvania. In 1683, thirteen families from Krefeld, Germany under the leadership of Francis Daniel Pastorius, founded the first German settlement in America, Germantown--today part of Philadelphia. Since that time, more than eight million Germans reached these shores.
Some Amish migrated to the United States, in the early 18th century. As a result of William Penn's "holy experiment" in religious tolerance, many Amish started settling in Lancaster County, PA during the 1720's.
Check Biography.com for histories of Benjamin Rush, and Robert Morris, signers of the Declaration of Independence.
The World of Benjamin Franklin. Although he was born in Boston, the city of Philadelphia is remembered as the home of Ben Franklin.
Landforms of Pennsylvania. - Physiographic Province Maps of Pennsylvania
William Penn was born on October 24, 1644. His father was a famous English admiral, Sir William Penn.
Wildernet - Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a large state by eastern standards with approximately 4.5 million acres of public land. The state maintains 116 state parks of natural, historical and cultural interest. Pennsylvania's most prominent natural feature is the Appalachian Mountain Range that rises in the center of the state. Several major rivers flow through the state including the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, in the east; the Susquehanna, centrally located; and the Ohio, Allegheny, Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers in the west. The northwestern corner of the state contains the Allegheny National Forest the largest natural area in the state.
a_Anthracite Cute Map. An interactive map of some towns in the Anthracite Region of Pennsylvania.
Extension Forestry Red Maple. Now that we suppress forest fires, red maple has emerged from the swamps and taken over upland sites, and can be found on just about every landscape in the eastern deciduous forest.
The Pennsylvania Flora Project. Pennsylvania, a state of diverse geography and geology, is rich in flora.
The Pennsylvania Biological Survey (PABS). The purpose of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey is to increase the knowledge of, and foster the perpetuation of, the natural biological diversity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Endangered Animals in Pennsylvania. Endangered species is defined any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.Wild Resources Conservation Fund - Endangered Species
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. The mission of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is to inspire and educate the people of southwestern Pennsylvania to be respectful and responsible stewards of the natural world.
Pennsylvania Herpetological Atlas. The purpose of this project is to gain a better understanding of the distribution of all reptiles and amphibians in Pennsylvania.
Home Page. The Pennsylvania Center for Enviromental Education is a partnership among 11 prominent Pennsylvania entities. This unprecedented cooperative agreement was formed to ensure that the citizens of the Commonwealth have access to quality environmental education.
PHMC Pennsylvania's Trail of History. Pennsylvania's Trail of History, comprised of the historic sites and museums operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, offers a wide range of fun, learning experiences for everyone from children to adults.
PA DCNR - Keystone Wildnotes - I Want to Help. The Wild Resource Conservation Fund is the principal agency that supports research and protection efforts for the state's natural heritage - it's unique collection of native nongame animals and wild plants.
Forestry. The Bureau of Forestry is the steward of the Commonweatlh's forest resources.
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Home Page. Agriculture for the 21st century.
The Geological History of Pittsburgh - Sedimentation in Western Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh lies in a geographic region called the "Appalachian Plateau", which is a topographically high region west of the Appalachian Mountain chain. The plateau is made up of erosional remains of alarge sediment-filled basin which was formed and, finally, uplifted as a result of the plate tectonic interactions which created the Appalachian Moutains.
History of Pennsylvania Counties. A Pennsylvania County Timeline.
Pennsylvania Land Records for York County.
BIRDNET all about Ornithology, the Scientific Study of Birds. The site is a service of the Ornithological Council, a public information organization involving ten North American professional ornithological societies.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. Conserving The Nature of America. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps protect a healthy environment for fish and wildlife ... and for people. We encourage Americans to enjoy the outdoors. In all of our activities, “you” are part of the equation.
The Evacuation of Valley Forge. Winter Encampment of American Army Where The Sufferings of the Soldiers Tested the Patriotism and Loyalty of the Coming Citizens of the Republic Washington's Correspondence in 1777-1778. One of the Most Critical Periods in Our Struggle for Independenceby Lillian Cronise Lutes. Published in the Journal of American History in 1908.
The Pennsylvania GenWeb Project contains a clickable county map, genealogical, and historical information.
William Penn is known, of course, as the founder of Pennsylvania. He is also known as a famous Quaker and for his 'Great Treaty' with the Delaware. What is 'known' however, is often obscured by myth. For example, Penn did not name his colony after himself (as he feared would be assumed), but after his recently departed father. He had wanted to call the colony 'New Wales' or 'Sylvania' but King Charles II intervened, suggesting instead 'Pennsylvania'. It was the father after all, who left Penn his wealth, including the King's debt to him--which Charles II paid in full with a hefty chunk of New World land.
Benjamin Franklin. America has never forgotten Benjamin Franklin because he did both. He lived these words of wisdom by writing as much as he possibly could and by doing even more. He became famous for being a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, a printer, a philosopher, a musician, and an economist. Today, we honor Ben Franklin as one of our Founding Fathers and as one of America's greatest citizens.
Save the Black Horse Inn. The Springfield Township Historical Society completed the research needed to make the 1744 Black Horse Inn a National Register site. Instead, the owner wants a zoning change that would result in the demolition of this historic Inn. Why? To make room for a liquor store, a drug store, a bank and a parking lot.
US History.org, the "Congress of Websites" contains articles on the Declaration of Independence; Documents of Freedom; Historic Valley Forge; Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolutionary War; A Background to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; A Historical Background to Pennsylvania; the Liberty Bell; Benjamin Franklin; Thomas Paine; Historic Germantown; the Brandywine Battlefield Park; and Betsy Ross.
Heritage Antique Map Sales, Auctions, and Museum contains an extensive categorized collection of high-quality history and map sites with links to more than 1000 sites.
Appalachian Trail Home Page. The Appalachian Trail is a continuous marked footpath that goes from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, a distance of about 2160 miles.
Covered Bridges symbolize small-town America. Something from the nineteenth century, a little archaic and strange to nineteen-nineties eyes, picturesque and sentimental, "kissing bridges" recall a time when life was simpler and closer to the land -- if only in our dreams. Covered bridges complement autumn leaves and autumn emotions. Photogenic and often remote from the Interstate Highways and cities of the twentieth century, covered bridges lure the explorer to find the little streams and dirt roads that the twentieth century has almost passed by.
Pennsylvania 1630-1684. Pennsylvania was settled as 1630 by Dutch pioneers who came up the Delaware Bay and River and settled at Gloucester point.
The Pennsylvania Revolution. Pennsylvania's many contributions to the American Revolution are well known. Less well known is that the Revolution was different and, perhaps, more complicated in Pennsylvania than in many other states. Pennsylvania's political traditions---particularly its proprietary government and its Quaker-dominated assembly---insulated the colony from other colonial spokespersons. This explains why in the weeks right before the signing of the Declaration of Independence the colony was so seriously divided over the extent of resistance to Britain and the question of separation.
Pennsylvania in the Civil War. Pennsylvania played a key role during the Civil War. Our industrial enterprise and natural resources were essential factors in the economic strength of the northern cause. Our railroad system, iron and steel industry, and agricultural wealth were vital to the war effort. The shipbuilders of Pennsylvania, led by the famous Cramp Yards, contributed to the strength of the navy and merchant marine.
First English Settlement. The figures who play the chief roles in the story of the exploration and attempted settlement of Roanoke Island are the epic figures of English history: Queen Elizabeth, after whom the new land was named "Virginia," is easily the premier sovereign of England; Sir Walter Raleigh, poet, soldier, and statesman, and the inspiration and financial mainstay of the Roanoke Island project, is the best remembered of gallant English courtiers; Sir Richard Grenville, of the Revenge, who brought the first colony to America in 1585 and left another small group there in 1586, is the Elizabethan hero who in 1592 taught English sailors how to dare and die in the face of overwhelming odds; Sir Frances Drake, who rescued the first colony from starvation, is famous as the first English circumnavigator of the globe and as the preeminent seadog and explorer of English history.
Southeastern Genealogy Online's State of Pennsylvania contains Pennsylvania History; County Formation Maps; and Pennsylvania Census Maps 1790-1920.